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Lieut. Col. JACOB REED 
Iproceebings 

at tbe 

SDetocation of the /Ifconument 

j£rectet> to Ibis HDemorp 

in 

jfranconla Gownsbip, Pennsylvania 

"Clnoer tbe auspices of tbc 

trtstorical Society of /IDontgomerg County, 
Pennsylvania 

©ctober 8, 1901 



NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 
I905 









'■■ ' 


• 


[vc >xv*> 


AM | _ 


- 1 




- 

COP1 6. 



COMPILED AND ARRAN 

W. H. REED, Ph.D.. M.P. 

AND PIBLISHED BY 

FRANKLIN P. REED 
Dr. W. H. REED 



Copyright. 1905 
By W. H. REED 



P*ES5 0* 

TMl New Es» PmsTwa COM'M«T 

L»«C*»TEi>, P». 



THIS LITTLE 

RES> "*' L"EAR PARI 

THE La 

MICHAEL hart:: REEB 

FROM WHOSE WISDOM A>T> PARENTAL GUIDANCE I MCMTED MY = 

:.•...'.:•": .»•■:. i.-- .. v> -. .>..:i> : :.*■ :>:•. :.:v . ; l.'.-.i 
and family history, as a slight token 
of afprecdy:: 

W. ER. 




PREFACE. 

This little volume is intended to preserve the char- 
acter of exercises and the papers read at the fall meet- 
ing of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, 
Pennsylvania, held in Emmanuel's (Leidy's) Union 
Church, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, 
Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, October 8, 1901. 

The object of holding the meeting here, at this time, 
was a continuation of an adopted custom of the Society, 
for several years past, of holding a fall meeting at some 
historical point of interest within the bounds of the 
county; and at the same time to dedicate a monument that 
had recently been erected to the memory of Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed, a prominent citizen of the county, 
and a soldier and patriot of the Revolution. The monu- 
ment had been placed over the grave by two great-grand- 
sons, Franklin P. Reed, of National City, San Diego 
County, California, and Dr. Willoughby H. Reed, of 
Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 

The stone erected to perpetuate the memory of this 
soldier of the Revolution, whose valor and patriotism won 
for him an imperishable name, was placed there for no 
selfish glory or motives by these descendants; but for a 



vi Preface. 

far nobler purpose — a deserving tribute of respect and ap- 
preciation of the valuable services this noble sire rendered 
to his country in a time of great need and in her efforts to 
secure against such odds — her independence. 

Our ancestor committed a wrong to his posterity when, 
like many others during the Revolutionary struggle, he 
thought his work was done after independence had been 
attained, and resting satisfied with the accomplishment of 
a purpose and a duty well done, he did not esteem the 
preservation and perpetuation of the record of his work 
and sacrifices of sufficient moment to merit his further at- 
tention. As a consequence full justice cannot, at this late 
date, be done to the subject, nor sufficient honor bestowed, 
as important facts are lost and the historian is left to glean 
his data and details from remaining traditions and frag- 
mentary records. The paper on Lieutenant Colonel 
Jacob Reed, prepared for and read on this occasion of the 
meeting of the Historical Society is largely of this char- 
acter — garnered from fragments, compiled, as it were, 
and associated with similar written history. To put these 
together and make them readable and intelligible was a 
difficult task, and the result unsatisfactory to the writer. 



I again take the opportunity of thanking all who have 
so kindly assisted me in this work in any shape or form 
whatsoever. The Historical Society of Montgomery 
County has our kindest appreciation of what they have 
done for us. To the Committee of Arrangements, for 
this meeting of the Society and of the dedication of the 
monument, who spent of their means, sacrificed time and 
labor for its welfare and success, we extend our sincere 



Preface. vii 

acknowledgments. To the Reformed pastor, Rev. B. F. 
Luckenbill, of Souderton, Montgomery County, and to the 
Lutheran pastor, Rev. D. H. Reiter, of Richland Center, 
Bucks County, who participated so ably in the exercises, 
and whose papers appear elsewhere in this volume, we 
wish to thank individually. To Edward Mathews, of 
Lansdale, the able historian and prolific writer, who pre- 
pared the paper on " Hatfield Township," and to Hon. 
Henry W. Kratz, who so ably read the same; to Miss 
Anna Hackman, of Philadelphia, a great-great-grand- 
daughter of Colonel Reed, who composed and read the 
admirable poem, "The Ancestral Home"; to John 
Souder, Esq., of Telford, Montgomery County, the his- 
torian and author of the History of Franconia Township, 
who wrote and read the paper on, " The Private Burying 
Grounds of Franconia " ; to George W. Hackman, of 
Philadelphia, a great-grandson of Colonel Reed, reader 
and elocutionist, who so ably read the " Sketch of the Life 
of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed"; to Mrs. Findley 
Braden (nee Rile), of Philadelphia, a great-great-grand- 
daughter of Colonel Reed, writer and poet, who com- 
posed and so admirably recited the poem, " He Fought 
with Washington"; to Joseph Procter, of Philadelphia, 
an original member of Leidy's Church and also a member 
of the Leidy family, who prepared and read the paper, 
"History of Leidy's Church"; to Hon. F. G. Wile, of 
Telford, who wrote and read a paper on the "Indian 
Creek Reformed Church "; and, to all others who assisted 
in any manner at all in the work and rendition of the 
programme, we extend our sincere and grateful thanks. 

The papers on " The Leidy Family " and "Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed " (a sketch of his life) were written 
by myself. The paper on the Leidy family was read by 



viii Preface. 

the writer on the occasion of the dedication. The paper 
on " The Indian Creek Reformed Church " was rewritten 
by myself. Since the reading of the original paper by 
Mr. Wile I came into possession of additional important 
historical data bearing on this subject, and to pass this 
over without using it here, appeared to me to be unjust to 
this paper. By doing this it has very much lengthened the 
original paper and compelled its rewriting. 

Some revision of other papers was necessary. From 
the short time allotted the authors in their preparation 
after assignment, haste was indispensable, and the privi- 
leges we have assumed, we trust, will not be considered 
by them a discourtesy, as the sense of the subject matter 
throughout has always been maintained. 

The reader will perceive that the character of the ex- 
ercises and the subject matter at this meeting of the His- 
torical Society, bore largely directly or indirectly, on the 
" Reed " and " Leidy " families; and a majority of those 
who participated in the preparation of and the reading 
of papers were lineal descendants of Lieutenant Colonel 
Jacob Reed. It is deemed but just to them and to the 
Historical Society that the family publish in a volume, in- 
dependent of the Society's regular publication, these 
papers and exercises. 

The illustrations that appear in this volume are largely 
my own work as an amateur photographer. Some of the 
pictures were obtained only after several failures, which 
necessitated extra work and expense. And to all who con- 
tributed to this feature of the book, I extend my sincere 
thanks. 

We again take the opportunity, as descendants of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Jacob Reed, of thanking the Historical 
Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for its 



Preface. ix 

recognition, attestation and assistance in this work. By 
its approval and encouragement on all occasions, we have 
been stimulated from time to time to renewed efforts. As 
the study of and interest in local history and genealogy are 
growing from day to day, the Society's encouraging efforts 
in this line are accomplishing good results and the indi- 
vidual and the public alike are being benefited and enlight- 
ened. Thus we have felt the Society's helping hand and 
now bow in humble recognition of its kindly offices. 

To my dear friend and fellow kinsman, Rev. Michael 
Reed Minnich, A.M., of Philadelphia, who kindly con- 
sented to revise the manuscript and correct the proofs of 
this volume before leaving the press, I am under untold 
obligations. This assistance to me has been invaluable; 
I appreciate it heartily, and in return I thank him cordially. 

To my friend and fellow Pennsylvania-German, Julius 
F. Sachse, Litt.D., of Philadelphia, I am under many 
obligations for the very valuable service he has rendered 
me in the general arrangement of the work, with its illus- 
trations, and for its embellishments. 

This work, as many of a similar character, may be 
found to contain historical and genealogical inaccuracies. 
I have as far as possible verified the data given me by 
official records, thereby avoiding misstatements. Irre- 
spective of one's carefullness errors in such works will 
appear. Wherever such are found to exist I crave the 
indulgence of the critic, as I had no official record at 
command at the time whereby I could rectify them. I 
have given them as given to me or as I have found them 
stated. 

The preparation of the historical papers found in this 
volume meant a tremendous amount of work to the 
various authors. Only those engaged in a similar field 



x Preface. 

of labor fully realize this fact. To read them is but of 
short duration; but to gather the data, compile and 
elaborate it into a connected story means months of labor, 
especially to those engaged in active business and who 
could only steal the time from busy working hours. To 
accomplish all this, various preserved public records had 
to be gone over, descendants of the family interrogated 
in person and by letter, visits made to old burial grounds 
and other points of historical and of genealogical interest. 
Thus were garnered the threads from which the fabric was 
eventually woven. 

This work, to the author, is far from complete; but 
under adverse circumstances — with the object so far at- 
tained — he feels he is well rewarded for his efforts thus 
put forth, inasmuch as he has preserved valuable and im- 
portant historical data, which otherwise would have soon 
been destroyed or lost. 

The edition of this little volume has been limited to two 
hundred and fifty copies. As the expense of its publica- 
tion is entirely borne by myself and brother, its object is 
not for personal gain or profit — but solely to perpetuate 
the name and deeds of a worthy ancestor; that secured, 
our purpose is accomplished. 

W. H. Reed. 

Norristown, Pennsylvania, 
October 8, 1904. 



CONTENTS. 



Preface. ........ v-x 

Program of Reunion and Dedication of Memorial xiii 

Introductory. ....... i-S 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed. Dr. VV. H. 

Reed. ......... 9~7 2 

Dedicatory Address. Rev. B. F. Luckenbill . 73-76 
He Fought with Washington. Mrs. Finley 

Braden (poem) ....... 77— S3 

The Leidy' Family. Dr. W. H. Reed. . . S5-111 
History of Leidy's Church. Joseph Proctor, Esq. 1 13-120 
Address of Welcome. Rev. D. H. Reiter . . 121-128 
Ancestral Home. Miss Anna T. Hackman (poem) 129-137 
Private Burying Grounds of Franconia Town- 
ship. John D. Souder, Esq. .... 139-147 

Indian Creek Reformed Church. Dr. W. H. 

Reed. ......... 149-1S3 

Hatfield Township. Edward Mathews, Esq. . 185-192 
Index. ...... . . 193-19S 



LIST OF PLATES. 



Monument of Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Graves of Philip and Veronica (Bergey) Reed . . 

A Group of Reed Graves 

Bible and Prayer Book of Col. Reed 

Chapeau and Sword of Col. Reed 

Early Home of Andrew Reed 

Tombstones of Andrew and Anna Mary (Leidy) Reed 

Andrew and Mary (Hartman) Reed 

Michael and Mary (Rockafellow) Reed 

Tombstones of Lieut. Col. Jacob and Magdalena (Leidy ) 

Reed (1900) 

Monument of Lieut. Col. Jacob and Magdalena (Leidy ) 

Reed (1901) 

Early Leidy Home 

The Leidy Tannery 

The Leidy Church 

The Home of Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed 

Fuhrman's Burying Ground 

Leidy's Cemetery 

Indian Creek Reformed Church 

Baptismal Certificates 



frontispiece. 

fronting page 19 

19 

28 
28 
" 42 
" 42 
68 
68 

70 

70 
86 
86 
" 114 
" 130 
" 140 
" 140 
" 150 
" 164 



ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT. 

Pages. 

Reproduction of program xiii-xvi 

Signature of Philip Reed 12 

Family Record 13 

Title Page of Old Family Bible 14 

Early Land Purchase of Philip Reed 15 

Early Land Purchase of Jacob Reed, et al 22-23 

Silhouettes of Wendle and Eve (Reed) Fisher 25 

Title Page of Lancaster Almanac for year 1776 80 

Signature of Jacob Leidy 87 

Draught of Lands of Jacob Leidy, et al 93 

Mural Tablets of Stone 153 



1901. 
Annual Reunion, 



WITH 



Dedication of Monument 



TO 



Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, 

BY THE 

Historical Society 



OF 



Montgomery County, 

PENNSYLVANIA 



Emmanuel (Leidy's) Church, 

FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP. 

ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8th 



A REPRODUCTION OF PROGRAM. 

xiii 



PROGRAM 



MORNING SESSION, 10 O'CLOCK. 
PRAYER Rev - D - H. Reiter, 

Richland Center, Bucks County, Pa. 
MUSIC— Vocal Solo, "/ will Extol Thee. O Lord;' (Costa.) 

By Miss Lillie Clemens, 

Hatfield. Pa. 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME, - Rev. D. H. Reiter, 

Pastor of the Lutheran Church, 

RESPONSE, Joseph Fornance, Esq., 

President of the Historical Society, 
Norcistown, Pa. 

"HATFIELD TOWNSHIP," 

Historical Sketches, By Edward Mathews, 

Read by Hon. H. W. Kratz, Lansdaie. Pa. 

Norristown, Pa. 

"THE ANCESTRAL HOME," 

A Poem, By Miss Anna Hackman, 

Philadelphia. Pa. 

MUSIC — Selection from the Crown Diamonds, (Ambee.y 
By the C. G. Quartette, 

Hatfield, Pa. 

"THE LEIDY FAMILY," 

A Sketch, By Dr. W. H. Reed, 

Norristown, Pa 

"PRIVATE BURYING GROUNDS OF 

FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP" By John D. Souder, 

Telford. Pa 

MUSIC,— Duet, "The Palms," (Faure.y 

By John Groth and Washington Clemens, 
Hatfield, Pa. 

ADJOURNMENT FOR LUNCH, 
xiv 



AFTERNOON SESSION, 2 O'CLOCK. 



MUSIC,— Vocal Solo, "My Heart," (Louis Angel.) 

By Miss Lillie Clemens, 

Hatfield, Pa. 

"LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACOB REED," 

A Sketch of his Life, By Dr. W. H. Reed, 

Read by George W. Hackman. Norristown, Pa. 

Philadelphia. Pa. 

ADJOURNMENT TO GRAVE YARD. 
DEDICATORY ADDRESS, By Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, 

Pastor of the Reformed Church, 
Souderton, Pa. 

MUSIC. " America,' ' 

(The Audience will join Singing.) 

My Country! 'tis of thee, My native country ! thee, 

Sweet land of liberty ! Land of the noble free 

Of thee I sing ; Thy name I love ; 

Land where my fathers died ; I love thy frocks and rills. 

Land of the pilgrims pride ; Thy woods and templed hills ; 

Prom every mountain side, M,y heart with rapture thrills, 

Let freedom ring. Likb that above. 

Our fathers* God ! to thee;. 

Author of liberty. 

To thee we sing -, 
1 
Long may our land be bright, 

With freedom's holy light ; 

Protect us by thy might, 

Great God, our K^ng. 

Exercises will be resumed in the Church. 

"HE FOUGHT WITH WASHINGTON,'} 

A Poem, By Mrs. Findley Braden, 

Philadelphia, Pa. 

"HISTORY OF LEIDY'S CHURCH," 

By Joseph Procter, 

' Philadelphia, Pa. 

"INDIAN CREEK REFORMED CHURCH," 

By Hon. ;F. G. Wile, 

Telford, Pa 

BUSINESS MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. 

MUSIC, — "Czardas." IE. Hasselwan.) 

By the C. G. Quartette. 

Hatfield, Pa. 



The music furnished for this occasion is under the direction of Dr. 
Leidv L. Cope. Hatfield. Pa. 



XV 



ITINERARY. 



Emmanuel Church, known also as Leidy's Church, can 
be reached by the Inland Trolley, or by the North Penn- 
sylvania Railroad. 

From Norristown take the 8.28 a. m. train over Stony 
Creek Railroad to Lansdale. At Lansdale take the Inland 
Trolley to near the Church. 

From Philadelphia take North Pennsylvania Railroad 
to Souderton or to Hatfield Station. Change to Inland 
Trolley to the church. Souderton is about one mile, and 
Hatfield is about two miles from Leidy's Church. 

Conductors of the trolley cars will give information. 

How to Become a Member of the Historical Society. 

Extract from the Constitution : — ARTICLE III, 
Sec. 2. "Any reputable person may become an active 
member on receiving the votes of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present at any meeting. Such person shall accom- 
pany his application with the initiation fee of one dollar." 

Give your name with the amount of initiation fee to 
any member of the Society who will present your name 
for membership. The annual dues of the Society are but 
fifty cents a year. 



XVI 



Untrofcuctors 



Dr. W. H. REED 

Norristown, Pa. 



A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 




INTRODUCTORY. 



As great-grandsons of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, 
in view of the patriotic service our ancestor rendered in the 
establishment of our nation's independence, and from filial 
regard and affection, we considered it an incumbent duty 
to erect to his memory some suitable mark of apprecia- 
tion, by which, for all time, a recognition of these services 
may be perpetuated. The stone — a monument — erected 
over his grave by us we feel is humble in appearance; we 
do not doubt it may be considered as such by the critical 
public; but it was placed there by sincere and grateful 
hearts; and with none other than an honest, noble and 
considerate purpose. 

In the frontispiece you will find a photographic 
reproduction of this memorial. It is of dark Quincy 
granite, hard, in nature, and of indestructible quality. It 
is placed upon a substantial foundation of stone, laid in 
cement, and it will stand, we trust for all time to come. 
The inscriptions on the four sides of the memorial are as 
follows : 
Front : 



IN MEMORY 



OF 



LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACOB REED, 
Hatfield Twp., Philadelphia County, Pa., 



4 Introductory. 

A patriot and soldier of the Revolution. An 
officer of the Philadelphia County militia. 
Served his country actively during the whole 
war. Participated in the battles of Trenton, 
Brandywine, Germantown, etc., etc. 

Reverse : 

JACOB REED, 

Born in Salford Twp., Philada. Co., July 6th, 1730. 
Died in New Britain Twp., Bucks Co., Nov. 2d, 1820. 

HIS WIFE 

MAGDALINA (LEIDY) REED, 

Born in Franconia Twp., Philada. Co., Jan. 24th, 1739. 
Died in New Britain Twp., Bucks Co., Aug. 5th, 1804. 

Right side: 

Dedicated 

under the auspices 

OF THE 

Historical Society 

of 

Montgomery County, Pa., 

Oct. 8th, A.D., 1901. 
Left side : 

ERECTED BY 

Franklin P. Reed, 
Dr. W. H. Reed. 

After the stone was placed in its position, we thought 
some public testimony or recognition was necessary. At 
first a family reunion was suggested. On further con- 
sideration it was discovered that the lineal descendants 
of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob and Magdalena (Leidy) 
Reed were so scattered over this vast country of ours, that 



Introductory. 5 

it was questionable at this time whether a goodly repre- 
sentation of these families could be gotten together for 
this purpose. After further conference and considera- 
tion it was thought wise and proper to turn the entire 
matter over to the Historical Society of Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania, for their consideration and dis- 
posal. 

At the regular meeting of the Historical Society of 
Montgomery County, held on May 30, 1901, the matter 
was formally presented before that body. After a few 
favorable remarks the matter was approved, and the 
following resolution was offered by its Librarian, Ellwood 
Roberts, and unanimously adopted: 

"Resolved, That a committee, with Dr. W. H. Reed 
as chairman, be appointed to take charge of the arrange- 
ments for the fall meeting of the Society, at a date to 
be fixed subsequently. It will be held in Franconia, in 
connection with the dedication of a monument recently 
erected by the descendants of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob 
Reed, of Revolutionary fame. Dr. Reed will name the 
other members of the committee." 

In compliance with the above resolution and as chair- 
man of the Committee of Arrangements for the fall meet- 
ing of the Historical Society, I called to my assistance 
this committe, members of the Society: President of the 
Society, Joseph Fornance, Esq.; Vice-President of the 
Society, Hon. Henry W. Kratz, and Librarian of the 
Society, Ellwood Roberts, all of Norristown, and Trustee 
Samuel F. Jarrett, of Jeffersonville, Penn. 

A local committee was also appointed (who were not 
members of the Society), as follows: Rev. B. F. Lucken- 
bill, of Souderton, pastor of the Reformed congregation 



6 Introductory. 

of Leidy's Union church; Rev. D. H. Reiter, of Richland 
Center, Bucks County, pastor of the Lutheran congrega- 
tion of Leidy's Union church; Dr. Leidy L. Cope, of 
Hatfield borough; B. F. Alderfer, Esq., of Souderton, 
and Henry S. Leidy, of Hatfield. These representing 
Leidy's church and vicinity. 

The committee held several meetings or conferences at 
the residence of Rev. B. F. Luckenbill in Souderton. In 
due time all arrangements for the occasion were com- 
pleted. They selected Tuesday, October 8, 1901, as the 
day for the annual fall meeting and dedication; the ex- 
ercises to be held in Leidy's Union church (the place of 
burial of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed). Its location 
is in Franconia township, Montgomery County, Penn- 
sylvania, one half mile south of Souderton, and two miles 
west of Hatfield. These latter places are nearby bor- 
oughs and railroad stations. 

The day selected for the occasion proved to be an ideal 
one — one of those beautiful and delightful balmy fall 
days, with a cloudless sky, warm sun, and the air 
sufficiently cool to be invigorating, pleasing and agree- 
able. 

On the morning of the dedication the people began to 
arrive early on the scene; and their coming and going 
kept up the entire day. There were present at this 
gathering a large representation of members of the His- 
torical Society of Montgomery County and allied socie- 
ties, and numerous representatives of the Reed, Leidy 
and other associated families, members of the congrega- 
tions, prominent people of the vicinity, Philadelphia and 
other points, and others interested in the society and its 
work. 



Introductory. 7 

In the absence of Joseph Fornance, Esq., President of 
the Society, Vice-President Rev. Dr. A. A. Marple, 
presided at the morning session. Rev. D. H. Reiter, 
pastor of the Lutheran congregation of this church, de- 
livered the address of welcome (which appears elsewhere 
in this volume). This was fittingly and ably responded 
to by Dr. Marple, the presiding officer. 

At the noon hour the meeting adjourned for luncheon,, 
which was furnished by Mr. Samuel F. Jarrett, Franklin 
P. Reed, Dr. W. H. Reed and the congregations of the 
church. It was invitingly and attractively arranged on 
long tables in the church yard, placed in a single row r 
beneath the wide spreading trees. This feature was in 
charge of a special committee, consisting largely of ladies, 
composed of members of the Reformed and Lutheran 
congregations. The collation was heartily enjoyed and 
relished by all who were present. The picturesque and 
attractive surroundings of the country added enchantment 
to the occasion. The lunch committee received the com- 
mendations of all for their untiring efforts, satisfactory- 
arrangements, and bountiful supply. 

The brief interval, after refreshments, was spent in 
social intercourse and strolling over the ancient and 
historic grave yard, adjoining the church. Some paid a 
visit to the old Leidy tannery site and homestead, while 
others visited places of historical and general interest in 
the vicinity. The session was then resumed, Hon. Henry 
W. Kratz, Vice President, presiding. 

After the reading of the sketch of the life of " Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Jacob Reed " by George W. Hackman, 
of Philadelphia, a great-grandson, the society adjourned 
to Colonel Reed's grave in the burying ground, where the 
dedicatory exercises were held. The granite stone was 



8 Introductory. 

handsomely veiled with a huge national flag. The audi- 
ence solemnly and reverently gathered around the grave, 
when Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, of Souderton, pastor of the 
Reformed congregation of Leidy's church, with much 
fervor and eloquence, delivered an able, impressive and 
fitting dedicatory address (which appears elsewhere in 
this volume) . At the close of this address the monument 
being unveiled, the assemblage in chorus sang the patriotic 
and inspiring National hymn — " America." 

The assemblage then returned to the church and the 
order of exercises were there resumed. At the close of 
the programme a business meeting of the society fol- 
lowed. At which time among other things the following 
resolution was offered by Vice-President, Rev. Dr. A. A. 
Marple, and was unanimously adopted: 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the Historical Society 
of Montgomery County are hereby given to the clergy 
and the congregations worshipping in this Emmanuel's 
Church, Franconia, for the use of their church edifice, and 
also for their hospitality. 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the Historical Society 
be extended to all, who by music rendered, by papers read 
or by poems recited, have contributed to the marked suc- 
cess of the annual meeting held this day." 

A delightful feature of the occasion, that contributed 
much to its interest and success, was the musical part of 
the programme, vocal and instrumental, furnished en- 
tirely by local talent, and of a quality that elicited unani- 
mous commendation. 



Xteutenant Colonel 3acob IReeS 

of 

fmtfielfc Uownsbip 
/Dbontgomers Counts, Pennsylvania 



Dr. W. H. REED 

Norristovvn, Pa. 



A BIOGRAPHY, WITH HISTORICAL SETTING 
AND INCIDENTAL FAMILY DATA 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACOB REED. 1 

" Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was the most notable 
figure in Hatfield township during the Revolutionary 
struggle. He was of German extraction. The name 
■ Reed ' having been anglicized from the German Rieth, 
Riedt, etc.," writes the historian Edward Mathews. He 
was an early settler of Hatfield township, Philadelphia 
county, Pennsylvania; was a prominent citizen, and took 
a leading part in the township's settlement and develop- 
ment. 



1 In the American Daily Advertiser, published in Philadelphia, Pa., 
under date of November 22, 1820, is found the following: " Died— In 
New Britain Township, Bucks County, on the 2d inst. Colonel Jacob 
Reed in the ninety-first year of his age. He served his country faithfully 
during the whole of the eventful period of the Revolution — and before 
the close of the war he was honored with a Colonel's commission." 

I have been unable to substantiate this statement in relation to my 
great grandfather's commission as a colonel from authentic records. 
The family has always been accustomed to hear him spoken of as " Col- 
onel Reed." During my investigations of official records extant, I have 
discovered his commissions as Major and Lieutenant Colonel. The pub- 
lished records of the soldiers of the Revolution is so incomplete that the 
possibilities are that the above statement of the Advertiser is correct, but 
lacking confirmatory evidence, I have all along refrained from using this 
as a fact, until such time as it can be determined by official information. 

II 



12 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was the eldest son of 
Johann Philip 1 and Veronica (Bergey 2 ) Reed (Rieth). 
His father was a Palatine who in the summer of 1727 
emigrated from Mannheim, Germany, to this country. 
He arrived in port at Philadelphia, October 16, 1727, in 
ship " Friendship." 




SIGNATURE OF PHILIP REED. 
A tracing made from 1727 immigration list, on file at Harrisburg, Pa. 

Feronica 3 (Bergey) Reed (mother of Colonel Jacob 
Reed) was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. 
She with her parents early in the eighteenth century fled 
from Switzerland on account of religious persecution. 
They first settled in Germany; but a short time thereafter 
(1727), it is said, Feronica Bergey (Reed) for the same 
cause left Germany and came to the Colony of Penn- 
sylvania. 

Soon after the arrival of Philip Reed in Philadelphia, 
in the Colony of Pennsylvania, he made his way out into 
the frontier settlements, and secured a tract of land of the 
Penns, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm 
was located in Salford township — the present location 



J In "History of Montgomery County " page 1010, edited by the late 
Colonel Theodore Bean, in the biographical sketch of my father, Michael 
H. Reed, our ancestor's name is given as " Michael." Records and dis- 
coveries since have proven that father was in error in his statement, as 
his name was " Philip" or "John Philip." 

3 In the entry in the family Bible of Colonel Reed it is spelled in the 
Germau " Berckysin." 

2 So spelled in her will. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 13 

Jprr 

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j£L dL* u>*/r **/** v--«*y^ 

J^ /JUhj£ a^ySm &**»*»>- /»&'*$ /?#*/£**&« 

A PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION OF FAMILY RECORD TAKEN FROM 
THE BIBLE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACOB REED. 



Translation. 

1757 On the 31st of December, I, Jacob Reed, purchased this bible at a 
public vendue for 27 shillings and 6 pence. Jacob Reed. 

On September 3, 1783, my father Philip Reed died. Aged 85 years, 7 
months and 9 days. His funeral text was St. John 11 chapt. Verses 25:26. 

On December 13, 1792 my mother Feronica Reed died. Aged 90 years 
and 10 months. She was born a Berckysin [Bergey], in Canton of Bern, 
Switzerland. Her funeral text was Isaiah 28 chapt. and verse 1. 



14 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



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TITLE PAGE OF OLD FAMILY BIBLE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACOB 
REED — PRINTED IN 1 745. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



15 



would make it in Marlborough 1 Township, Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania, and near the village of Hoppen- 



^Drawn from old, Deeds 
byW.l-C. R.eea., 
190A. ' 




) rau^#»f IWolracrs of latal 5 fruar? fn MaHkoW^k 

■ihe iiai-M es oi adjoinut^7aiid owners aHjutf da4ef Con 
■Pii-ma+ionUeed was granted byPemis-to'Reetf fa* Tract 
Noi-2 and j, on May i¥ n5p. 



EARI.Y LAND PURCHASE OF PHILIP REED IN MARYBOROUGH. 



1 By order of the Court of Quarter Sessions iu Philadelphia in 1741, 
Marlborough township was taken from Salford township. Philip Reed's 
farm was included in the detached portion, or the new township of Marl- 
borough. 



1 6 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

ville. The early Proprietory Record of land sales prior 
to 1734, show that Philip Reed at that time owned and 
paid quit-rent for over one hundred acres of land in Sal- 
ford Township. 

The New Goshenhoppen or Upper Perkiomen region 
as it was better known in 1727 — the period of Philip 
Reed's entrance into Salford township — was undergoing 
rapid settlement and development. The influx of set- 
tlers were numerous and mostly foreigners, and consisted 
largely of thrifty and enterprising Germans. This part 
of the county possessed superior advantages for agricul- 
tural and manufacturing purposes. The soil of these 
valleys was very fertile and of excellent quality, and the 
numerous creeks furnished an abundant supply of water 
for motive power, which in time was largely utilized. 
All classes of early mills and inland industries followed in 
the wake of settlement and bordered these streams. 
Grist, flouring, saw, fulling, linseed oil, powder mills and 
tanyards formed the majority. One or two iron forges 
were early erected and put in operation here. As a result 
of this enterprise, the surrounding country rapidly im- 
proved; Philip Reed and his family prospered with this 
development — grew thrifty and accumulated property. 

Philip Reed's whole life in America was spent here on 
his farm in an active and frugal way. As his family of 
children grew to man- and womanhood, they married and 
settled about him. Some of them remained for all time 
near the old homestead; while others removed to different 
parts of the county and state, as circumstances and condi- 
tions led them. 

The children of Philip and Feronica (Bergey) Reed 
married as follows: Jacob married Magdalena Leidy; 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 17 

Michael 1 married Ann Maria Mowery; Andrew married 
Ann Maria Leidy (a niece of Magdalena (Leidy) 
Reed) ; Catherine married Abraham Arndt; Anna Maria 
married Michael Welker; Margretha married Theobold 
Wink; Elizabeth married Joseph Eberhard; and Eva 
married first Valentine Dickenscheid, and second Joseph 
Kooken. Philip Reed's sons and sons-in-law all par- 
ticipated directly or indirectly with the American cause 
during the Revolutionary struggle, with one exception — 
Valentine Dickenscheid — who died in 1772, before hostili- 
ties commenced. Michael Reed was a cordwainer by 
trade; and his occupation, during hostilities, kept him 
busily engaged at home manufacturing shoes for the 
American army. Tradition says, he supplied many of the 
sufferers at Valley Forge gratuitously. 

Jacob Reed resided in Hatfield township, and served 
in the army as Major and Lieutenant Colonel of a Bat- 
talion of Philadelphia county militia during the whole 
war. Andrew Reed was a resident of Marlborough 
Township, and was associated with the Marlborough 
troops, serving them for a long time as their Captain. 
Michael Welker, husband of Anna Maria Reed, resided 
in Upper Hanover, and served in the ranks of this town- 
ship's militia. John Eberhard, husband of Elizabeth 



1 Michael Reed, according to the tombstone over his grave, in Union 
cemetery, Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pa., was born March i6, 1728, 
which, if correct, would make him the oldest child of Philip and Fer- 
onica (Bergey) Reed. But Fcronica (Bergey) Reed's will, made December 
24, 1790, not probated, says that Jacob Reed (born 1730) was her oldest 
child. These figures are at variance. In her will she names but two of 
her children — the eldest and the youngest. The presumption is the 
tombstone is incorrect. All other data point to this conclusion. While 
making a visit to his only son, in Franklin County in 1807, Michael Reed 
was taken ill and died. 



1 8 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Reed, resided in Gwynedd and served in this township's 
militia. Abraham Arndt, husband of Catharine Reed, 
resided in William's Township, Northampton County, 
Pennsylvania, and was a member of the township's militia 
and also served as Township Committeeman. Theobold 
Wink, husband of Margretha Reed, was a resident of 
Maxatawny township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and 
served in this township's militia. Joseph Kooken, second 
husband of Eve Reed, served as Captain in the North- 
ampton County militia. He was a resident of Upper 
Milford Township. Philip Reed, the immigrant, was 
too old to serve as a soldier of the Revolution. His sym- 
pathy was with the American cause; he lent his influence 
for its welfare and contributed means for its support. 

Philip Reed was a man of exemplary character. He 
was held in great esteem and respect by his friends and 
neighbors. In the church he was active and influential. 
He and his wife were known as good Christian people, of 
a kind and affectionate disposition, and, by the Records, 
were much sought after as sponsors, not only for their 
grandchildren, but the children of friends and neighbors. 
He was active and influential in local affairs, and was of a 
progressive turn. He lent encouragement and support 
to public movements advanced for the betterment of the 
community. In business matters, friends and neighbors 
frequently sought his advice, and on several occasions in 
the disposition of estates, he was made a beneficiary. His 
name frequently appears as witness on wills and other 
documents. 

Philip Reed was a member and worshipper of the New 
Goshenhoppen Reformed church, located about two miles 
north of his home. As an elder of this congregation he 




REED BURIALS AT NEW GOSHENHOPPEN REFORMED CHURCH 



1— GRAVES OF PHILIP AND VERONICA (BERGEY> REED. 
2— A GROUP OF REED GRAVES. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 19 

was one of its representatives at the first Coetus of Penn- 
sylvania, held in Philadelphia on September 29, 1747. 
His name appears in the first recorded list of members 
extant, 173 1. His children were baptized here, and all 
became members of this congregation. 

He died at his home in Marlborough township, at an 
advanced age, on September 3, 1783. Rev. Frederick 
Dellicker, then pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Re- 
formed church, preached the funeral sermon, taking for 
his text: St. John, 11th Chapter, and verses, 25th and 
26th: 

" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the 
life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet 
shall he live : 

" And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never 
die. Believest thou this?" 

His remains repose in the old burial ground of said 
congregation. A quaint old, moss-covered slab of marble 
marks the spot, bearing the following inscription, in Ger- 
man: 

Hier 

ruhet der leib von 

PHILIP RIETH. 

war Gebohren der 26 ten 
Januari 1698, u. gestorben 
den 3 ten September 1783. 
Seines Alters S5 Jahr 
7 Monat und 8 tage : 

When Philip Reed grew advanced in years, he made 
disposition of the greater portion of his property among 
his children — a generally accepted custom with many of 
the early Germans. His farm, in 1775, he conveyed for 



20 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

a consideration to his youngest son Andrew Reed, whose, 
then, adjoining farm and tanyard made them neighbors. 
After this real estate transaction between father and son, 
Philip Reed retired from active duties, and resided during 
the declining years of his life in the old homestead, a log 
dwelling. His son Andrew had in the meantime erected 
for himself and family a more modern and commodious 
stone dwelling on his farm on the opposite side of the 
road from the old log dwelling, nearby the tanyard. The 
location of the dwellings thus kept father and son in 
proximity. 

In the recorded list of communicant members of the 
New Goshenhoppen Reformed congregation, entered in 
the church book in 1746, by pastor Rev. George Michael 
Weiss, is found the name of Jacob Reed. As a custom 
in these early days, pastors in addition to their church 
work, taught school in a separate building erected for that 
purpose, connected with the church. This gave the chil- 
dren of the congregation an opportunity of gaining a 
rudimentary education. It was here Lieutenant Colonel 
Jacob Reed received his first schooling in English and 
German. 

The subject spent his boyhood days at home on the 
farm. He remained with his parents until of mature age. 
At this early period of the settlement of this locality, be- 
ing on the frontier, there was more or less trouble ex- 
perienced by the early settlers from ravages of predatory 
bands of Indians. This neighborhood on several occa- 
sions was thrown into terror from the proximity of 
these savages and their threatening attitude. The au- 
thorities were appealed to for protection. Colonel Reed, 
then being but a young man, volunteered his services and 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 21 

went forth armed, with his neighbors, to drive off the 
enemy. It is said, that frequently on their way to and 
from church, these good people carried loaded guns, as 
a matter of precaution and safety, to guard against sur- 
prises from the wily Indian and the wild beast. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was born in Salford 
Township, Philadelphia County, Pa., on June 30, 1730; 
he died in New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pa., on 
November 2, 1820. He married Magdaline Leidy in 
1755. She was a daughter of the immigrant Jacob 
Leidy, and was born in Franconia Township, Philadel- 
phia County, on January 24, 1739, and died in New 
Britain Township, Bucks County, Pa., on August 5, 1804. 
Both are interred in the old Leidy burial ground 
located in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, 
Pa., nearby the borough of Souderton. About 1755 — 
the time of their marriage — they removed to Hatfield 
Township. At this time he withdrew his membership 
from the New Goshenhoppen congregation — of which he 
was a communicant member — and joined the Indian 
Creek Reformed congregation, of Franconia Township, 
which was more convenient to his new home, and of 
which his wife, Magdalena (Leidy) Reed and her parents 
were already members. After connecting with this con- 
gregation he became very active and influential in its 
affairs, serving it in all capacities as layman. 

His earliest recorded land purchase in Hatfield was for 
two hundred and fifteen acres of land, from Richard and 
Thomas Penn. The deed was dated February 23, 1770. 
How many years he resided on this farm previous to his 
receiving title from the Honorable Proprietaries is un- 
known to the writer. Other data establishes the fact of 



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EARLY LAND PURCHASE OF JACOB REED AND OTHERS IN HATFIELD. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



23 



his residence in Hatfield as early as 1755 — the date of his 
marriage. This farm is located but a few hundred yards 
east of Leidy's burial ground, and forms part of the 



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EARLY UND PURCHASE OF JACOB REED AND OTHERS IN HATFIELD. 

Western extremity of Hatfield Township, bordering on 
Franconia Township. It was bounded on the west by 



24 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. • 

his brother-in-law, Jacob Leidy's farm, making them ad- 
joining neighbors, although their farms were located in 
different townships. In recent years this farm of Colonel 
Reed's has been divided into several smaller farms to suit 
purchasers. 

He early improved his farm in Hatfield with suitable 
buildings constructed of logs. Part of the primitive old 
dwelling still stands, and is tenanted by Abraham Gehman, 
the present owner of the homestead. This was the 
family residence during the critical period of the Ameri- 
can Revolution. 

In 1793 Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed sold his Hat- 
field farm to his neighbor John Rosenberger, and with 
his family removed to a farm that he already owned, 
located in New Britain Township, Bucks County. This 
Bucks County farm bordered the county line and was 
situated about one mile east of the present Colmar station. 
It was at this place his wife, Magdalena (Leidy) Reed, 
died in 1804. Colonel Reed also died here in 1820, at 
the advanced age of ninety-one years. 

This couple were blessed with a family of nine children, 
namely — Philip; Jacob; Margaret (married Jacob Red- 
line) ; Elizabeth (married Jacob Convear, who was a 
soldier of the Revolution, and a member of Captain 
Philip Reed's company of Hatfield militia) ; Catharine 
(married William Lindsay, who became an early pioneer 
and died in the state of Ohio) ; Magdalena (married 
Jesse Wilson) ; Eve (married Wendle Fisher) ; John; 
and Andrew (the grandfather of the writer). Wendle 
and Eve (Reed) Fisher were the parents of Rev. Samuel 
Reed Fisher, D.D., late an eminent divine, and editor and 
publisher of the Reformed Church Messenger, of Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



25 



Local historians say Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed 
was in his day a man of great prominence. He was ac- 
tive and influential as a citizen, filling a number of posi- 
tions of public trust in the vicinity in which he lived. In 
the church he also took a deep interest. After his removal 
to New Britain Township, Bucks County, he was active 
and influential in the organization of the congregation 





SILHOUETTES OF WENDLE * EVE (REED) FISHER. 

and the erection of the Hilltown Reformed church build- 
ing, in which congregation he retained an active mem- 
bership until his death. 

He always took a prominent part in the affairs of the 
congregations with which he was connected, serving them 
as elder, trustee, etc. 

" Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed's great interest in the 



26 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

American Revolution made him a prominent figure in 
Hatfield during that period. His great activity in the 
American cause made him a mark for Tory and British 
vengeance. He served his country as an officer of the 
Philadelphia county militia throughout the whole Revolu- 
tionary struggle." 1 

********* 
As long as the Provinces belonged to the English 
Crown, so long it seems, they were involved with wars 
of the Mother country in America. Three times during 
this period was war proclaimed between England and 
France, and, as the French had possession in Canada and 
were leagued with powerful tribes of Indians, as often 
the Colonies became the theatre of hostile operations. 
The third or last of the wars between these two countries 
was known as the " French and Indian " war. In this 
war the Colony of Pennsylvania, as a dependency of 
England, largely contributed means and soldiers to the 
cause. One of the most distressing encounters with the 
enemy and loss to the English and her subjects during the 
war was within the borders of this Colony. There were 
many hostile insurrections of the Indians of a local and 
general nature within her borders that also involved the 
Province in troubles; and, as frequently, were levies made 
of Pennsylvania for volunteers to assist the Mother 
country and local authorities to down these hostile demon- 
strations. The Provincial Troops were frequently called 
upon to assist in the restoration of order, quiet and peace. 
It seems that the period of settlement of this country was 
largely a period of wars, and that the Colonial Troops 
by virtue of their training as frontiersmen with the use 

1 Edward Mathews' " History of Hatfield Township." 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 27 

of a rifle and in warfare did good and effectual service as 
soldiers for their mother country, province and people. 
The extant, incomplete rosters of the Provincial Troops 
— particularly of Pennsylvania — are of such a character, 
that those of the colonists who did actual service as 
soldiers during that period, are not given the recognition 
they deserve, except in a comparatively few instances. 
When the war of Independence was declared between the 
Colonies and England, the training these local troops 
received as soldiers and frontiersmen in the Provincial 
army gave them experience which qualified them better to 
fight their own fight of freedom than otherwise would 
have been the case. 

The declaration of actual hostilities between the two 
countries necessitated an army of formidable strength for 
the United States, both for offensive and defensive opera- 
tions. The available organized troops for the service of 
the United States were few, and these were poorly equip- 
ped as a fighting body. They were formed mainly and 
hastily into two classes — those of the line or regulars, and 
the local troops or militia. The militia was organized 
largely for home defence. When the call was made by 
Pennsylvania for troops for the different classes of ser- 
vice, many volunteers were forthcoming. The State, in 
the beginning, hastily enacted militia laws to meet con- 
tingencies. In the organization of these State troops, 
those soldiers of the rank who had experience in warfare 
and the management of troops during the colonial era, 
were generally chosen, or appointed to command. It was 
owing, presumably, to such service in the Colonial army, 
that Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was qualified for 



28 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

the position he was chosen to fill, as a military commander 
for these State troops. 1 

The printed and accessible muster rolls of the old as- 
sociates — the first militia troops of Philadelphia county, 
organized after the war began with England — are very 
incomplete and imperfect; the official data of enrollment 
of officers and men is simply fragmentary. The par- 
ticular part in which Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed 
figured with these troops, during this period, cannot 
definitely be determined at this time. Family tradition 
of a convincing character says he participated in the first 
battle of Trenton, New Jersey, December 26th, 1776. 

An old letter has but recently come into my possession, 
written by Colonel Reed's son, Jacob Reed, Jr., to his 
brother, Andrew Reed, in reply to an inquiry pertaining 
to their father's military service in the Revolution. The 
letter is very concise but incomplete. Like many such, 
written so long — fifty years or more — after hostilities 
ceased, at an advanced age, and at a time when his facul- 
ties were declining, it contains historical inaccuracies. I 
have taken the liberty to correct several of these, but in 

1 The following story I have heard my father relate on a number of 
occasions, pertaining to his grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, 
as an officer of the Revolution. Father makes use of this fact in connec- 
tion with the life given of his grandfather in his biographical sketch, in 
the History of Montgomery County, by Colonel Theodore Bean, page 
1011 : "Again on another occasion, while the British were lying in Phila- 
delphia, they engaged in a marauding expedition to his home while he 
was on a furlough, and took him prisoner. They were about firing a 
gun already pointed at him when the British officer's wife interfered and 
saved his life." 

When father heard the story from his grandfather's lips he was a mere 
lad and it was easy for him to have gotten the two wars mixed. Never- 
theless the event occurred, but the time and place is the mooted question. 
The character of the event naturally associates this circumstance with 
the Indian or Colonial wars. 




1-PRAYER BOOK AND FAMILY BIBLE OF LIEUT. COL. JACOB REED. 
(IN POSSESSION OF DR. W. H. REED. I 
2-MILITARY HAT AND SWORD OF LIEUT. COL. JACOB REED. 
(IN POSSESSION OF MRS. PHILIP REED, PHILADELPHIA.) 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 29 

doing so I have not in any way detracted from the facts 
as set forth in the original. 1 

Sugar Creek Township, Stark County, Ohio, 

May 27, 1834. 
To You Much Beloved Brother: 

* * * And you desire to know of father in reference 
to his Revolutionary service. I proceed to inform you 
that he was present at the battle of Brandywine, at the 
battle of White Horse and at the battle of Germantown. 
This was his first tour. His Major General was Arm- 
strong. His Brigadier General was Potter. Hiester 
was Colonel, father was Lieutenant Colonel, and one 
Moore was Major. His second tour was at [after] Bur- 
goyne's surrender [taking up the convention troops at 
Sherrard's Ferry, on the Delaware], thence to Taneytown, 
Maryland. But how long a time the marching of our 
army and that of the surrendered army occupied in going 
to Taneytown, I know not. In going to Taneytown 
(brother) Philip accompanied father, which is all Philip 
was in the army. Father's first tour was two months, but 
I do not remember how long a tour that was when he went 
to Taneytown in Maryland. I myself was out with the 
militia, going to Trenton, New Jersey, in 1780. * * * 
Your Faithful Brother, 

Jacob Riedt. 
1 o Andrew Riedt, 

Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 
It is a well known fact to all local historians that the 
early organization of the Pennsylvania militia was any- 
thing but thorough and complete. The masses of the 

1 Colonel Reed's uniforms, accoutrements, arms and camp equipage 
were retained by the family until within a few years, when unfortunately, 
from relaxed interest, these precious relics became scattered, and now,' 
with the exception of a few. are lost to the present generation of 
descendants. 



30 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

troops lacked military training and discipline, from un- 
fortunate circumstances. As a result of these deficiencies, 
they did not prove a success at first, as reliable fighting 
material. They were hardy and able-bodied men, but 
lacking in military training and organization, and were 
not a success in an open encounter with the enemy. 

Historian Preston Westcott, in his history of Philadel- 
phia, writing of this state of affairs in 1777, says: " The 
Association system, after experiencing its effect from 
the beginning of the war, was admitted to be too uncer- 
tain to be depended upon in case of emergency. The 
conduct of the Philadelphia (county included) Associa- 
tors at Amboy in the preceding summer was not half so 
bad as that of some of the companies from the county 
after the battle of Princeton, some of whom deserted in 
full bodies, leaving only their officers, and in one case 
spoken of by General Putman only a Lieutenant and a 
lame man. The time had now come for the establish- 
ment of a regular body of troops. And to that task the 
Pennsylvania Assembly addressed itself. A militia bill 
was prepared and passed. It provided that the city and 
county of Philadelphia and the various counties through- 
out the state should be divided into districts, each of 
which should have within it not less than 680 men fit 
for militia duty. Over these divisions were placed Lieu- 
tenants from each city and county, and sub-Lieutenants 
for each district. Each district was sub-divided into eight 
parts or companies, and each district was to elect its Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Major, Captain and other officers. The 
Lieutenants and sub-Lieutenants took lists of all of the 
inhabitants of their districts, collected the fines and super- 
intended generally the execution of details of the law." 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 31 

The companies were divided into classes, and provision 
made for calling out the classes as they were wanted. 
Persons enrolled, who refused to parade when ordered, 
were to be fined 7 s. and 6 d. per day; officers absent, 
10 s. per day; non-commissioned officers and privates, 5 s. 
per day. On field days officers not attending to be fined 
5 £ and non-commissioned officers and privates, 15 s. 

Companies were to be exercised upon two days in April, 
three days in May, two days in August, two days in Sep- 
tember and one day in October, of each year. Battalions 
were to parade one day in May and once in October. In 
case of loss of limb by militia men in service, the state 
undertook to pay half the monthly pay to the sufferer. 
According to the provisions of the Act of Assembly, 
Philadelphia county was divided into seven Battalion dis- 
tricts. 

" The appointed officers of the county were, William 
Coates, Lieutenant; Jacob Engle, Samuel Dewees, George 
Smith, Archibald Thomson and William Antes, sub- 
Lieutenants." 

" The First Battalion comprised the townships of 
Upper Salford, Lower Salford, Towamencing, Hatfield, 
Perkiomen, Franconia and Skippack." 

Agreeable to the direction of the new militia law of 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant and 
sub-Lieutenants for the county of Philadelphia as soon as 
possible after their appointment held an election of the 
several Battalion districts for field officers, and made their 
return to the Supreme Executive Council on the 22d day 
of April, 1777. The officers elected to serve the First 
Battalion were: For Colonel, Daniel Hiester, Jr., Esq., 
of Salford Township; Lieutenant Colonel, Jacob Reed, 



32 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Esq., of Hatfield Township; Major, Jacob Markley, Esq., 
of Perkiomen Township. Commissions were granted to 
the Battalion officers on May 6, 1777. 

Roster of ist Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, Cre- 
ated Under the New Militia Law, 1777. 
Seven TGivnships were in this Battalion District — these were divided 
into Eight Military Companies, Skippack Township furnishing two Com- 
panies, as follows: 

Colonel — Daniel Hiester, Esq., of Salford Township. 
Lieutenant Colonel — Jacob Reed, Esq., of Hatfield Township. 
Major — Jacob Markley, of Shippack and Perkiomen Townships. 

Township. Captain. ist Lieut. 2d Lieut. Ensign. 

ist Co., Lower Salford, Wm. Tennis, 

2d Co., Francouia, John Cope, Conrad Siple, Thomas Syner, John Gerhard. 

3rd Co., Upper Salford, Philip Gable, 

4th Co., Skippack, William Bull, James Bean. Beuj. Pawling. 

5th Co., Skippack, Isaac Sahler, 

6th Co., Towaniencing, Benj. Weaver, 
7th Co., Perkiomen, Peter Schreiner, 
8th Co., Hatfield, Andrew Morgan. 

" Perkiomen Region," Vol. 1, p. 10S. 

The chosen battalion officers immediately assumed com- 
mand of their troops and set themselves to the task of 
making them as reliable and efficient fighting material as 
possible. The men were placed under thorough military 
training and discipline, in compliance so far as possible, 
with the true meaning and intent of the new militia law. 
********* 

It was the latter part of the year 1776 and in the be- 
ginning of the year 1777 before the campaigning of the 
two armies virtually terminated hostilities in Upper New 
Jersey. In these engagements the Philadelphia County 
and City Associators actively participated. After the de- 
feat of the enemy at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, 
etc., the enemy then fell back and took up their station at 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 33 

New York. In the following summer — in July — after 
the important campaign in Upper New Jersey, Sir Wil- 
liam Howe's army was on ship board in the harbor of 
New York and made ready to sail. His objective point 
of destination was unknown to the Americans. He first 
sailed to Sandy Hook, thence southward slowly, entered 
the Chesapeake bay, and on the twenty-fifth day of July 
landed his troops at the head of Elk river, in Maryland. 

Now came a busy and exciting time for the newly or- 
ganized Philadelphia county militia. The enemy was 
about to invade Pennsylvania in an attempt to capture 
Philadelphia — the seat of the American government — 
and demoralize her troops. The foe in their midst 
meant the destruction of property, pilfering, foraging and 
laying waste of the homes of the loyal people. 

The local troops responded promptly to orders, and 
marched to the front in defence of their country. They 
now experienced active and rough field service, and saw 
hard fighting for some time. For several months excit- 
ing and distressing times prevailed. As long as the 
enemy remained in this locality, there was neither rest nor 
safety for soldiers or civilians either in the field or at their 
homes. 

The whole body of the Pennsylvania militia was at 
this time in the field and under command of Major Gen- 
eral John Armstrong. His Brigadier Generals were, 
John Caldwalder, James Potter, Samuel Meredith, and 
James Irvin. Colonel Hiester and Reed's battalion was 
under the subordinate command of Brigadier General 
James Potter. These militia, newly organized, took up 
their position on the banks of the Brandywine creek in 
Chester County, in conjunction with the Continental army, 
3 



34 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

under the command of General Washington, and there 
offered their first determined effort to resist the invading 
army. 

By an overwhelming and superior force the American 
army was defeated and compelled to retreat. 1 General 
Washington fell back with his army, passing through 
Darby, then across the Schuylkill river to Germantown, 
and rested to refresh his men. The Pennsylvania militia 
were then divided and ordered to different positions to 
defend Philadephia, and the main roads and fords along 
the Schuylkill river, as high up the stream as Swedes' 
ford, now Norristown. Defences at these places were 
hastily constructed or thrown up by our troops to prevent 
the enemy from crossing the stream, thereby making easy 
entrance into Philadelphia impossible. 

The battalions of Colonel Hiester (with Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed commanding) , Colonel Curry, 
Colonel Antes, and Colonel Dewees, Philadelphia County 
militia, were to rendezvous at Swede's Ford, Norristown. 
Here on a knoll, bordering and overlooking the Schuyl- 
kill River, these militia forces hastily threw up entrench- 
ments, planted cannon, and presented a formidable front. 
This means of defense proved effectual, for, when the 
enemy made their appearance on the west bank to cross 



1 There is a tradition that Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, during this 
engagement, had his horse shot from under him, but he escaped un- 
injured. 

2 A number of years ago, one of the cannon that was hastily planted for 
defence at this point by our troops during this period of the Revolution, 
was uncovered by a freshet. It was found to have been spiked, and was 
in an excellent state of preservation. The gun was removed to the town, 
bored out, and for many years used by her citizens to fire Fourth-of-July 
salutes. The gun subsequently disappeared, and I believe found its way 
to the scrap iron pile, and was melted. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 35 

at this point, they were unable to do so, fell back and 
retraced their march inland. 

After a few days of rest at Germantown, General 
Washington with his main army recrossed the Schuyl- 
kill River and moved in the direction of the British forces. 
The armies met in battle on the morning of September 
16, 1777, at White Horse Tavern, in Chester County. 
In the meantime a portion of General Armstrong's com- 
mand, including part of the Philadelphia County militia, 
that had been stationed at the posts along the Schuylkill 
River, rejoined Washington's command in this movement. 
In this bout with the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob 
Reed and his command participated. General Wash- 
ington met the enemy with the full determination of pre- 
venting General Howe's further advance on Philadelphia. 
After the battle was fiercely joined, a terrible rain storm 
set in, drenching the men and ammunition and miring the 
ground to an impassable extent, thereby rendering both 
armies unfit for further action. Washington then fell 
back with his army in the direction of Warwick furnace, 
Chester County. General Howe subsequently advanced 
with his troops and crossed the river unobstructed at Fat- 
land (Valley Forge) and Gorden's (Phoenixville) Ford. 
His advance guard made their entrance into Philadelphia 
on September 28, 1777, without further obstruction or 
opposition. This opportune arrival of the enemy into 
Philadelphia county and city was heralded with much joy 
by British citizen subjects and their Tory friends. They 
welcomed the British forces with exaltation of joy, offer- 
ing them supplies — some joining the army of the enemy, 
others furnishing information, and acting as spies, etc. In 

1 Letter of Jacob Reed, Jr. 



36 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

the wake of the British army to Philadelphia city, led 
by these spies, American officers and defenders of the 
Revolutionary cause were made the object of Tory venge- 
ance and hatred by having their property stolen and de- 
stroyed. Notable instances are Colonel Dewees' Forge 
and buildings at Valley Forge, Colonel Thompson's Inn 
at Jeffersonville, Colonel Bull's Mill and other buildings 
at Norristown. 

Tory vengeance and hatred now grew to such an extent 
and became so disagreeable and obnoxious to all loyal 
citizens in Philadelphia county — that the American gov- 
ernment officially determined, if possible, to subdue or 
abate it by enacting laws and adopting other harsh and 
effective measures. These only partly proved effectual. 

At the approach of the British army on Philadelphia, 
the State Assembly removed to Lancaster City, and there 
secured its first quorum in the second week in October, 
1 777. One of the first acts of this body after convening 
was the passage of an Act creating a " Council of Safety." 
This law gave the new body extraordinary powers, 
especially to sieze property, levy troops, to punish traitors, 
etc. One of the first acts of the Council of Safety was 
the passage by them, of a " Confiscation Ordinance " 
directed against the personal estate of such of the in- 
habitants of the Commonwealth, who had abandoned their 
families or habitation and joined or should join the British 
Army, or who supplied it with provisions, intelligence or 
other aid. 

To serve the County of Philadelphia the following 
named Commissioners were appointed — Colonel William 
Antes, Colonel Robert Loller, Colonel James Stroud, 
Colonel Daniel Hiester and Colonel Archibald Thomp- 
son. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 37 

From the beginning, the duties of these officers were 
laborious and ofttimes disagreeable. Homes of their 
neighbors and friends had to be invaded and the guilty 
punished. They were in the beginning slow in executing 
their prescribed duties, to such an extent that the fol- 
lowing letter of reproval was forwarded to President 
Wharten of the Supreme Executive Council by General 
Joseph Reed: 

* " Headquarters, James Norris, 17 
miles from Philadelphia, on the 
Skippack Road, October 30, 1777. 
Sir:— 

The seizure of the property of the estate of those who 
join the enemy is highly necessary, and I think should ex- 
tend to those who voluntarily serve them as spies, guides, 
pilots or execute any other office under them. The burn- 
ing of houses of those who act vigorously in the Militia, 
receive stores etc. is attended with the most ruinous conse- 
quences and ought to be prevented by all possible means. 
I have mentioned it here, but amid other business it has 
not been sufficiently attended to. It appears to me to be 
an indispensable duty of the Board at which you preside 
to protect as much as possible those who are employed 
in your service, etc. * * * ni 

Alarming and exciting times now prevailed in this 
locality. The Philadelphia county militia were neither 
safe in the field nor at their homes. Enemies to the 
American cause were lurking everywhere. The British 
army were in their midst — at their doors, and many of 
their neighbors who differed in their views on the war 
were their enemies. The country was overrun alike by 
friend and foe; houses of patriots were plundered and 
destroyed; and dread filled their loyal hearts, for now 
neither property nor life was secure or safe. 

1 " Life and Correspondence of President Joseph Reed," Vol. I., p. 332. 



38 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

While riding along the highway, on his way from his 
home to rejoin his troops, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob 
Reed narrowly escaped death at this period. An enemy 
lying secreted in a fence corner by the roadside, leveled 
his musket at him and fired. The bullet grazed the 
Colonel's head. The fleet horse he was riding scared at 
the unexpected report, and before the Hessian had time 
to reload his musket, he was carried beyond the reach 
of further danger. 

After a short rest at Warwick, Chester County, General 
Washington with his troops, including several thousand 
Pennsylvania militia, crossed the river Schuylkill at 
Parker's Ford into Pottsgrove Township, Philadelphia 
County. The militia under command of General Arm- 
strong took up quarters in the neighborhood of the 
Trappe; while the Continental army encamped on the 
banks of the Perkiomen near Pennepacker's mills. 

After the American army had rested, and had been put 
in military shape, with necessary supplies and ammunition, 
they moved slowly in the direction of Philadelphia. On 
October 4, 1777, the battle of Germantown was fought; 
the American forces were again defeated by the British 
soldiery, and again fell back to the northern part of Phila- 
delphia county — the neighborhood of their former camp 
grounds, on the banks of the Perkiomen — hungry and 
exhausted. 

Resting for awhile Washington once more had his army 
under way — again moving in the direction of Philadel- 
phia. About the twentieth of October, 1777, they 
arrived in Whitemarsh Township, and entrenched them- 
selves on Camp Hill — a precaution against any sudden 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 39 

or unexpected attack of the enemy. General Howe learn- 
ing of General Washington's approach moved his forces 
out of Philadelphia in the direction of the American camp, 
and attempted a surprise. This movement of the enemy 
was frustrated by General Washington with his forces, 
who were already entrenched, and prepared to warmly 
receive them. The story of Lydia Darrah overhearing 
the plans of the proposed capture of the American forces 
by the British commanders at her home in the city of 
Philadelphia, and, by strategy communicating the same to 
General Washington, whereby the British were non- 
plused and defeated, by the American commander, is 
familiar to all. After a slight skirmish the enemy soon 
learned that their set plans had been discovered; and re- 
turned to their quarters in Philadelphia. 

It was now the middle of December, and winter fast 
approaching, General Washington concluded, after con- 
sultation with his advisors, to go into winter quarters with 
his army at Valley Forge, located on the west banks of the 
Schuylkill river, some twenty-five miles northwest of 
Philadelphia. 

This period of the war of the Revolution was a critical 
and severe one to the Philadelphia County militia. From 
the time the British forces landed at Elk river, Mary- 
land, and fought their way by degrees into Philadelphia, 
until after General Washington and his men's safe en- 
trenchment in their winter quarters at Valley Forge, these 
local troops knew nothing but constant military duty and 
active field service. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was at this time com- 
mander or acting Colonel of the First Battalion of the 
Philadelphia County militia. Colonel Daniel Hiester 
was absent from the State. 



40 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

The following abstract of a letter from the " Com- 
missioners to sieze Personal Estates," to his Excellency 
Thomas Wharton, Jr., President of the Supreme Execu- 
tive Council, explains : 

" Philadelphia County, 

November 18, 1777. 
Sir: — 

As we the subscribers together with James Stroud and 
Daniel Hiester, are appointed by the Honorable Council 
of Safety, Commissioners for the purpose of seizing on 
the personal estates of such of the inhabitants of the 
County of Philadelphia, as have or hereafter shall aban- 
don their families or habitations to join the army of the 
Xing of Great Britain, etc. And as the said James Stroud 
refuses to serve as a Commissioner for said purpose and 
said Daniel Hiester has been for a considerable part out of 
the State on business and it is not known when he will 
return, therefore, there appears to be much business to be 
done by the Commissioners of the County, we request the 
Honorable Council, if they think proper, to add Colonel 
Wm. Dean, Dr. Archibald McClean and Colonel George 
Smith to the number of Commissioners already appointed 
for the County of Philadelphia, which if the Council sees 
proper to do — for we have need of their services imme- 
diately." (Signed), 

Robert Loller, 
William Antes, 
Archibald Thomson." 1 

The absence of Colonel Daniel Hiester from the State 
during this critical period of the new nation's affairs, was 
due to the capture of his brother-in-law, Jonathan Hager, 
by the British, and his incarceration in prison at Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, whither he had gone by a long overland 
trip to effect his kinsman's release. In these efforts he 
was but partially successful. During the journey, Colonel 

'See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, 1777, p. 13. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 41 

Hiester met with innumerable delays consequent to 
difficult travelling and slow official action, and did not 
succeed in returning to his home and command until in 
the early part of the year of 1778. 1 

A thorough search for dates and facts pertaining to the 
Philadelphia County militia and their field operations, of 
the fragmentary records that remain of the Revolution, 
reveals the lack of detail they present to the student of 
local history, as well as a somewhat confused and discon- 
nected state of affairs. It is only by compiling a series of 
abstracts and putting them together piecemeal that we are 
able at all to get anything like a tangible or a connected 
story. 

Only by tracing the movements of the American army 
from orders, letters, statements, etc., of Major General 

Armstrong and Brigadier General James Potter the 

latter having the subordinate command of the First Bat- 
talion of the Philadelphia County militia — are we able to 
get anything definite bearing on the services of these 
troops, during this critical period, the fall, winter and 
spring of 1777 an d 1778. 

During these events it appears that Colonel Reed and 
his command were kept extremely busy. After the battle 
of Germantown, General James Potter's 2 brigade, includ- 
ing Colonel Reed's battalion, was assigned to guard duty 
and to annoy the enemy, with headquarters on the west 
banks of the Schuylkill river, bordering Philadelphia. 
Their lines extended from lower Montgomery and Chester 
counties as far southward as the river Delaware, in the 
direction of Wilmington in the State of Delaware. 3 

'See "Perkiomen Region," Vol. I., p. 124. 

2 " Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. V., p. 673. 

3 " Pennsylvania Archives," First Series," Vol. V., p. 718. 




1 EARLY HOME OF ANDREW REED, OF MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, PHILADELPHIA (NOW 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY). THE DATE STONE READS :— " A. N. O., 1777, ANDRIEAS RIED." 

2— TOMBSTONES OF ANDREW AND ANNA MARY (LEIDY) REED, IN NEW GOSHENHOPPEN 
REFORMED CHURCHYARD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNA. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 43 

river. At this juncture it was discovered that a body of 
the enemy of some (it was said) 4,000 strong under com- 
mand of Lord Cornwallis possessed themselves of the 
heights on both sides of the road leading from the Schuyl- 
kill river through the defile called the Gulf. The militia 
under General Potter, who formed the advance guard 
at this juncture did a commendable act by throwing 
themselves between the British and Washington's army, 
thereby dividing and retarding the enemy's progress and 
intended capture. General Washington reunited his forces 
and moved up, on the east side of the river Schuylkill, to 
Swede's Ford and camped for the night in a semi-circle. 
A bridge made of wagons and rails was thrown across the 
river, and on the following day (Dec. 12th, 1777) the 
American army crossed and marched to the Gulph, where 
they remained in camp until the 19th of December, 1777, 
the date of their going into winter quarters at Valley 
Forge. The timely movement of General Potter's small 
command in defeating the movements of the British at the 
Gulph, whereby the American army was saved from a 
probable surprise and defeat, was much appreciated by 
General Washington, who, in a subsequent report of this 
action, says: "They (British) were met at their ad- 
vance by General Potter with a part of Pennsylvania 
militia, who behaved with bravery and gave them every 
possible opposition, till he, General Potter, was obliged 
to retreat from superior numbers." 1 

Lord Cornwallis, after failing in the intended capture 
and crushing of the American army, collected a great 
deal of forage, and returned with his troops to Philadel- 
phia on the night of December nth, 1777. 

1 " Washington's Itinerary," p. 108. 



44 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

General Potter followed, and as soon as the British 
troops disappeared within the city, again stationed his 
forces on the west side of the Schuylkill river, for observa- 
tion, guard duty and protection of the outlying districts 
against marauding bands. At this juncture of the war, 
foraging parties of the enemy, outside communication with 
Tories, carrying of supplies into Philadelphia by the 
enemy's friends, was on the increase. To prevent this 
and to capture the guilty, General Potter's forces were 
distributed over a wide range of territory, and were kept 
exceptionally busy and constantly on the alert. A number 
of minor skirmishes with these bands of marauders 
followed. 

On December 28th, 1777, General Potter writes Presi- 
dent Wharton: "We have also taken a number of 
deserters, * * * l on Tuesday last we took 13 of the 
British Light Horse and 10 of their horsemen and the 
next day took two more of their horses and three of their 
riders and prevented them from plundering the inhabitants 
as they usually do." 

On or about the fifth day of January, 1778, the time 
of service in the field of the masses of the Pennsylvania 
militia (including Philadelphia County), expired. These 
were discharged, and returned temporarily to their homes. 
General Potter, at his own solicitation, was granted a fur- 
lough, and Colonel Lacey succeeded him for the time in 
command, as Brigadier General. The militia now pressed 
into active service were but few, and comprised mainly 
Light Horse. These were stationed on the several roads 
leading into the surrounding country from Philadelphia, 
for the purpose of gaining intelligence of the enemy, 
and to arrest marauding expeditions, and prevent supplies 

1 See " Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. VII., p. 141. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 45 

of food and fuel being carried into the city for the British 
troops. The country between the Schuylkill and Dela- 
ware was patrolled by militia selected largely from other 
counties of the State. These acted in detached parties, 
and were posted on all of the main thoroughfares leading 
from the outlying districts into the city. 

The winter passed on heavily without a conflict of any 
magnitude between the opposing forces. The various 
classes of Philadelphia County militia were exercised and 
trained by their commanding officers, as the law pre- 
scribed, and in accordance with orders from their superior 
officers. These were exciting times for these troops; 
training, concentrating to check rumored movements of 
the enemy, and to keep down the activity of emboldened 
Tories. These with the American army encamped in 
their midst, to be fed and clothed, taxed heavily the re- 
sources, patience, and loyalty of the citizens and troops 
of this community. 

The famishing condition of the American army at 
Valley Forge, which the neighboring populace was so 
piteously invoked to relieve, grew as time dragged on 
extremely distressing. This serious and lamentable con- 
dition of affairs is best expressed by a letter in General 
Washington's own language, to Governor Clinton, as 
follows: " For some days past there has been little less 
than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been 
a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or 
four days. Naked and starving as they are, we can not 
enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of 
the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by 
their suffering to a general mutiny and dispersion." 1 



" Washington's Itinerary," p. 119. 



46 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

On December 20, 1777, General Washington issued 
the following proclamation : 

" By his Excellency General George Washington, Esq., 
General and Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the 
United States of America. 

A Proclamation. 

" By virtue of the power and direction to me specially 
given, I hereby enjoin and require all persons residing 
within 70 miles of my headquarters, to thrash out half of 
their grain by the first day of February, and the other half 
by the first day of March next ensuing, on pain in case of 
failure of having all that shall remain in sheaves, after 
the periods above mentioned, seized by the commissaries 
and quartermaster of the army, and paid for as straw." 

" Given under my hand at Headquarters near the 
Valley Forge, in Philadelphia County the 20th day of 
December, 1777. 1 

George Washington. 

By his Excellency's command, 

Robert H. Harrison, Secretary." 

In response to this promulgated edict all loyal citizens 
of the surrounding country — including this neighborhood 
where we stand to-day — contributed their share of scanty 
stock of provisions and clothing, to the starving and 
destitute army at Valley Forge. Your loyal ancestors 
and our loyal ancestors were of the number to divide 
their limited supplies and possessions garnered and ac- 
quired under trying and adverse circumstances to these suf- 
fering and destitute soldiers. Yes, garnered and acquired 
too, when the heads of families were called away so 
frequently from the field of labor at home to the front, 

1 " Life and Correspondence of President Joseph Reed," Vol. I., p. 355. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 47 

in performance of military duty. The division of their 
scanty means with their brother soldiery almost brought 
destitution and starvation in the midst of their very homes. 
It was only after the adoption of the most rigorous means 
of economy, and neighborly division of food supplies, 
that the season was bridged over by these good people, 
until new crops were grown and harvested to relieve the 
drained and exhausted supply. 

The struggle for liberty with its deprivations was now 
telling hard on the community. Those who were divided 
and waning in their opinions, were beginning to lean 
against the American cause. The Tories with their 
friends — the British — so near at hand received encour- 
agement in their activity, and were winning sentiment 
in their favor. Even leaders of the American cause 
began seriously to realize the impending danger. The 
loyal troops and leaders not only had men to stand before 
to fight with arms, but with voice and persuasion, they 
were also compelled to fight endangering sentiment. 

General Joseph Reed, of Philadelphia, who, with his 
family at this period of the war became a resident of this 
neighborhood, writes of the state of affairs, to President 
Wharton of the Supreme Executive Council, under place 
and date of: 

Norriton, December 13, 1777. 

" * * * The situation of the country from Dela- 
ware and Schuylkill (Rivers) is very distressing, and 
loudly calls for attention and help from some quarter. 
I fear the chief Whig (loyal) inhabitants must fly, as 
there is no other cover than General Armstrong with 
about one thousand militia, many without arms and not 
a single troop of horse. This weak condition has 
obliged him to retire twenty-five or thirty miles back 
from town, so that after this day there will be a free 



48 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

communication. The consequences of which are not for 
me to dwell upon. * * * I shudder at the distress of 
inhabitants who either must submit or suffer much hard- 
ship. * * * " J 

Of this alarming situation, later on the same authority 
writes more in detail, to President Wharton. We per- 
ceive by the tone of this letter how serious and distress- 
ing this state of affairs was now growing, and how hard 
it was becoming for loyal citizens to remain at their homes 
and keep true and steadfast to the American cause: 

Camp at Valley Forge, 

February 1st, 1778. 
" * * * The intercourse between the country and 
town (Philadelphia) , has produced all of the consequences 
foreseen by many in the beginning of the winter. The 
supply of provisions to recruit and refresh our enemies 
(by the tories), I count the least pernicious. The minds 
of the inhabitants are seduced, their principles tainted, 
and opposition enfeebled; a familiarity with the enemy 
lessens their abhorence of them and their measures; even 
good Whigs began to think peace, at some expense, de- 
sirable. The currency for twenty miles round the town 
stagnates; the hope of getting to market with their pro- 
duce induces them (the tories) to keep it back, and deny 
they have it. The hope of checking it by Continental 
troops, I give over, they are so few in number, so much 
in need of refreshment, and those on duty have in many 
instances proved so corruptible, that we should delude our- 
selves if we depended on their exertions. There needs 
no stronger proof of this than that the intercourse on this 
side of the Schuylkill, though upon account of the river 
more easy of interruption, is the greatest. I see plainly, 
that unless it is committed wholly to the militia, nothing 
effectual can be done. * * * " 2 



1 " Life and Correspondence ot General Joseph Reed," Vol. I., p. 355. 
2 "Life and Correspondence of General Joseph Reed," Vol. I., p. 358. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 49 

To break up this pernicious intercourse between the 
Tories and British, and its concomitant evils, which were 
carried on at the sacrifice of the loyal citizens and Ameri- 
can army, was a matter of serious concern and considera- 
tion at this time by General Washington and a Com- 
mittee, for that purpose, sent out by Congress to Valley 
Forge. Their conclusion was to recommend: " The em- 
ployment of Indians for the purpose, as it was, neither the 
continental army nor militia were able to cope with its 
magnitude." A letter written at Valley Forge by Frances 
Dana to the President of the American Congress explains 
more fully the state of affairs: 

Camp near Valley Forge, 

February 20, 1778. 
" * * * We are of the opinion that no measure can 
be effectual to break off the pernicious intercourse which 
the disaffected inhabitants of the Country still hold with 
the enemy, from which they derive the greatest advan- 
tages. Exclusive of the wholesome supplies of provisions 
by which they refresh their numerous sick and check the 
advance of the scurvy; it is the most sure and certain 
source of intelligence. Through this channel they, (the 
enemy), are constantly apprised not only of every ma- 
terial transaction of our army, but of the quarters of our 
troops, and situation of such active Whigs as are either 
occasionally passing, or yet reside within the reach of their 
excursions. Hence almost every day furnishes an in- 
stance of some surprise and capture. From repeated 
successes they grow confident and venture in small parties, 
a considerable distance (into the country) carrying off 
with them such straggling officers, soldiers, incautious 
Whigs as they find in their route. Their progress in this 
business is the more alarming as they are now joined by 
Tories perfectly acquainted with the country, well 
mounted and equipped, who not only serve as guides to 

5 



50 Lieul. Col. Jacob Reed. 

the British Horse, but venture upon separate expedi- 
tions. 



* * * "i 



The alarming character and proportion of the growing 
evil of persecution and insecurity of those most active and 
in sympathy with the American cause, who were prone 
to fall into the hands of these enemies, particularly at 
this time and at the very threshold of their homes, was 
:serious, and made the loyal citizen's life one of con- 
stant jeopardy and danger. Their security and safety 
were uncertain and untrustworthy. The high tension that 
affairs assumed at this period of the war is clearly set 
forth in a letter of Mrs. General Joseph Reed, to a female 
friend: 

Norriton, February 28th, 1778. 

" It has already become too dangerous for my husband 
to be at home more than one day at a time and that seldom 
and uncertain. Indeed I am easier when he is from home 
as his being here brings danger with it. There are so 
many disaffected to the cause of their country, that they 
lay in wait for those who are active in it." 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was one of those 
patriotic militia officers who at this time of the Revolu- 
tion was made to share more than his portion of persistent 
persecution at the hands of Tory enemies and British 
soldiery. His earnest patriotism and active participation 
in the American cause, engendered personal Tory hatred 
and dislike, and on several occasions we have recorded 
facts wherein he was a target of their vengeance, and 
made to suffer at their hands personal punishment and 
insult. 

In the History of Hatfield Township, published in the 

1 " Life and Correspondence of General Joseph Reed," Vol. I., p. 418. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 51 

Harleysville News, several years ago, compiled and 
written by that proficient writer and chronicler of local 
events, Edward Mathews, we find these facts pertain- 
ing to the persecution of him by his Tory enemies : 

" Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was the most notable 
figure connected with the Revolutionary struggle in Hat- 
field township. His earnest advocacy of the patriotic 
cause made him a mark of vengeance by the British and 
Tories. On one dark night during the winter of 1778 
his home was visited by a party led by Tory neighbors by 
the name of Wright. These Wrights were notorious 
Tories which led them to commit numerous overt acts in 
behalf of the enemy. The purpose of this raid was for 
the capture of Colonel Reed. The Colonel having no 
previous notice of being thus summarily carried off, made 
a gallant fight within the doorway of his house — so 
bravely indeed that the enemy were driven off. In the 
struggle Colonel Reed's sword was broken and the end 
pierced Wright's foot in falling. By the bleeding of his 
limb, Wright in the morning was tracked several miles 
to the South and taken prisoner by Colonel Reed's loyal 
friends and followers. In those turbulent times the civil 
law was powerless and little quarter was shown towards 
obnoxious persons when captured. The Wright's case 
was summarily disposed of by stringing him from a pro- 
jecting limb of a large oak tree, that stood near his home, 
on the hillside, below Montgomery Square. An elderly 
man, upon whose head had fallen the frost of eighty 
winters informed the writer that in his boyhood days he 
had looked with involuntary shudder of horror at the oak 
tree that his father pointed out to him as the spot of 
Wright's execution. 



52 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

" A confederate of Wright in guiding the British on 
this expedition for the capture of Lieutenant Colonel 
Jacob Reed was Mordecai Roberts, a Tory farmer, resid- 
ing near the county line. The brother of Mordecai 
Roberts, however, was a brave and active soldier in the 
American ranks. This was Colonel William Roberts, of 
New Britain Township, Bucks County. He could not 
desert nor refuse to interpose for his erring brother in the 
time of his desperate peril, and upon his strenuous inter- 
cession, and by reason of his great influence, his life was 
saved from impending doom. 

" The Wright family of Hatfield was composed at this 
time, of John Wright, Sr., and three sons — Jonathan, 
Abijah and John, Jr. — all were notorious and offensive 
Tories. These Wrights and their Tory friends — who 
were instrumental in making Colonel Reed and other 
patriots of the neighborhood so much trouble during the 
Revolution, resided, and owned a farm in the lower part 
of Hatfield Township. They were of English extrac- 
tion — immigrants from the British Isle. By their treason- 
able persistence they made themselves so offensive to the 
patriots of the war, furnishing information and supplies 
to the British, directing marauding expeditions of the 
enemy, that the American Government was compelled 
finally to deal harshly with them." 

Finally Abijah Wright, another of the perpetrators of 
the dastardly act on Colonel Reed, was captured and taken 
to Philadelphia and cast into prison. He was given a 
trial in Court, found guilty of treason, and hanged. This 
Abijah Wright was also associated with the treasonable 
attempt on the life of that soldier, patriot and citizen, 
Andrew Knox. The incident is familiar to many, and it 
was this hostile act that led the authorities to his final cap- 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 53 

ture, prosecution and death. Others of the Wright 
family fled the country, and finally their property was 
confiscated by the government. 

It was during one of these incursions into the country 
by the enemy that they made away with Lieutenant Col- 
onel Jacob Reed's best riding horse and other property. 
When the State of Pennsylvania in 1783, was adjusting 
the claims for such losses to her citizens, Colonel Reed 
was allowed damages. 

Another incident of persecution in which Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed was made to suffer during this period 
of the American Revolution is preserved. 

In the unpublished auto-biography of Rev. Samuel 
Reed Fisher, D.D., a grandson of Colonel Reed, late an 
eminent divine of the Reformed Church and editor and 
publisher of the Reformed Church Messenger, we glean 
these facts: 

" During that memorable winter of 1777 and 1778, 
grandfather Jacob Reed was surprised and made captive 
by his Tory enemies, and made to pass through a trying 
and painful ordeal. He was waylaid by these foes, who 
first shot him through the leg, then tied him to a tree, 
tarred and feathered him and commenced digging his 
grave, in which they proposed burying him. Before 
completing this last act they were discovered in their 
fiendish purpose and fled, when he was released from his 
perilous situation. The parties engaged in this trans- 
action escaped the country and their property was sub- 
sequently confiscated." 

Between labors at home, military duty in the field, and 
the constant vigilance required to prevent surprise at the 
hands of his enemies, our ancestor and his family passed 
an eventful winter. 



54 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

On the 1 8th day of June, 1778, the British army 
evacuated Philadelphia — moving toward Trenton, N. J. 
On the following day, June 19th, General Washington, 
after breaking camp at Valley Forge, set his army in 
motion, marching in the direction of the enemy. The first 
night Washington's advanced troops encamped at Nor- 
rington near the present Fairview village, Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania. On the following night the army 
encamped at Doyle's Tavern ( Doylestown) , Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania. On this line of march the American army 
passed through or nearby the point where we meet to-day. 
It was probably on this occasion that General Washington 
and his staff paid Colonel Reed a flying visit at his Hat- 
field home. An old letter in my possession, written by a 
member of the family, reads thus: " I often heard an 
old aunt relate the story of a hasty meal that was prepared 
by her grandmother for General Washington and some of 
his staff, at their old home in Hatfield." The dwelling 
at the time of Washington's visit was built entirely of logs. 
Still a part of the original old log building stands, is 
habitable, and is occupied by the owner as a dwelling. 

After the British and American army changed their 
field of operations in the spring of 1778 from this locality, 
the militia of Philadelphia county experienced great relief. 
The military duty of these local troops now and for some 
time following was mainly of the nature of training — 
largely to comply with the law — to advance themselves 
in military knowledge and tactics. The rank and file of 
militia of the country districts were composed mostly of 
those engaged in agricultural pursuits, and this season in 
particular, was a very busy one for them with their plant- 
ing, cultivating and harvesting. The exhausted supplies 
from purchase and forage on the part of the two armies 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 55 

nearby during the past winter necessitated the farmer to 
make extra efforts to recuperate for his immediate needs 
from this recent severe drain and loss. 

The fall of the same year was a busy time again for 
the county militia. General Washington made a demand 
for the service of these local troops — to act as a guard 
or escort of convention troops, while passing through this 
State southward. The prisoners numbered about five 
thousand, 1 and they were being taken from Saratoga to 
Charlotteville, Virginia. 

Two classes of Philadelphia and Bucks County militia 
were called out to perform this duty. They were ordered 
to assemble at Sherrard's ferry, on the Delaware river, 
and march with the prisoners in six divisions, to Wright's 
ferry, on the Susquehanna river. 

Colonel Daniel Hiester, Jr., was now a member of the 
General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania. This 
State Executive body was at this time in session at Phila- 
delphia, and Colonel Hiester was there in attendance, 
which enforced his absence from military duty in the field. 
This necessitated Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed to 
personally assume command of the First Battalion of the 
Philadelphia County militia, in compliance with military 
orders. 

An extract from a letter of Joseph Reed, Esq., Presi- 
dent of the Supreme Executive Council, addressed to the 
American Congress, well depicts the circumstances and 
condition of these troops when they were ordered out for 
duty at this time. In this we learn the Militia were still 
suffering from ravages of the late war, depletion of stores, 
and over-exertion from exciting and exhausting military 
duty during that period. 

1 "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. VII., p. no. 



56 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

This letter was written " In Council." 

Philadelphia, December 6, 1778. 1 
Sirs: — A few days ago the Board of War applied to 
this Council to order out a body of Militia as an escort 
to relieve a detachment of the Continental troops guard- 
ing the remains of the Convention troops on their way to 
Virginia. Upon which the necessary steps were taken 
with all possible dispatch; but to prevent as much as 
possible apprehended delay and difficulties, I am charged 
to represent to Congress, that the delay of the General's 
letter on the road, it having been wrote on the 18th inst. 
and not received until the 25th leaves too small a space of 
time to comply with the terms of the law or substantial 
preparation of the march. That the invasion of the state 
of tat last year by which the militia were subjected to 
constant and severe service, making it an act of justice to 
give them all possible indulgence, as their agriculture and 
necessary attention to their families was very much in- 
terrupted by their military duty. We might also observe 
that the great number of wagons from this state, and the 
persons employed in the various manufactories, exclusive 
of those engaged in the supply of bread for the public, 
occasion a heavy drain of men and makes the duty very 
burdensome on those that remain, who have not, nor 
effect to have scruples of conscience against bearing arms. 
We are authorized to say Sir, that the farmers of this state, 
from various public reasons are now very backward in the 
work, and though we have directed the necessary levies 
to be made for this service it would be a great relief to 
them if the troop which have escorted them through the 
state of New York and New Jersey could be directed to 
proceed. * * * " 

Irrespective of the hardships and endurances to which 
the militia forces were recently subjected — loyal to their 
country, obedient to military orders — as soon as possible, 

^'Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. VII., p. 106. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 57 

with scanty supplies, they assembled at Sherrard's ferry, 
assumed charge of the prisoners, and proceeded South- 
ward with them. Their line of march was by way of 
Reading, Wrightstown, York, Hagerstown, and to Taney- 
town, Maryland, where they were safely delivered to 
another detail of American troops assigned for that pur- 
pose. This was a long, tiresome and tedious trip for 
Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed and his troops. The time 
consumed in the march and the delivery of the captives 
to the authorized detail was over two months. Colonel 
Reed's son, Captain Philip Reed, accompanied his father 
on this trip, commanding the Hatfield company. 

The year 1779 was rather an uneventful one for the 
Philadelphia County militia, so far as military movements 
and achievements were concerned. As the time of the 
war lengthened, the periods of their service were more 
protracted and these troops became more proficient as 
soldiers; notwithstanding the many changes in the rank 
and file. These troops were being largely held at this 
time in reserve by the authorities, as a sort of an emer- 
gency force — to be used at such times and for such duty 
as occasion demanded. 

Along towards the close of the year — in October — it 
was announced in the Supreme Executive Council while in 
session at Philadelphia, that Count D'Estaing's fleet — 
with numerous French troops aboard were on their way to 
the Colonies and would soon land, to cooperate with the 
American army under General Washington in their fight 
for the freedom of their country, and make capture of the 
British invaders. 

The State of Pennsylvania was then asked by the 
Federal authorities to furnish a body of militia for three 
month's service. 1 These were to act in conjunction with 

1 "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. VII., pp. 748 and 764. 



58 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

the Continental army in an attack on the enemy at New 
York, and to rendezvous with all possible dispatch at 
Trenton, New Jersey. The request was granted by this 
State and the militia was ordered into a state of readiness. 
The Philadelphia County militia made great preparation 
and were soon on the march to Trenton in compliance with 
orders. From delay in sailing north of Count D'Estaing's 
fleet, orders for the concentration of these troops at 
Trenton were countermanded and they were recalled. 

In the spring of 1780 the General Assembly of the State 
of Pennsylvania passed a new militia law. In the new 
law, many radical changes were made, and so far as pos- 
sible, grave defects in the old militia law were removed. 
Of the new feature enacted in the revised militia law, 
one in particular effected the commanding officers of the 
Battalions. The office of Colonel of Battalions now 
was dispensed with, making the highest officer there- 
after a Lieutenant Colonel. At the next regular election 
of troops for Battalion officers, Colonel Daniel Hiester, 
Jr., was chosen Lieutenant Colonel, and Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed was chosen Major. The First Bat- 
talion was now changed numerically to that of the Fifth 
Battalion of the Philadelphia county militia. 1 

Roster of 5TH Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, 

Chosen Under the Militia Law of 1780. 
Lieutenant Colonel — Daniel Hiester, Esq. 
Major — Jacob Reed, Esq. 

Township. Captain. Lieutenant. Ensign. 

1st Co., Towamenciug, Daniel Springer, John King, James Custard, 

2d Co., Upper Salford, Philip Gable, Conrad Grim, Valentine Buff, 

3rd Co., Skippack, Barnard Haines, Nicolas Nick ora, Benjamin Hahuon, 

4th Co., Franconia, John Cope, Jacob Leidy, George Trumbore 

5th Co , Skippack, John Harpel, George Harpel, William Kwers, 

6th Co., Hatfield, Philip Reed, David Davis, Jacob Sorver, 

7th Co., Perkiomen, Henry Neeble, Henry Foust, Henry Hirsh, 

8th Co., Lower Salford, Andrew Campbell, Nicholas Wolfiuger, George Martin. 



1,1 Colonial Records," Vol. XII., pp. 123 and 129. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 59 

At the election of company officers to serve the 6th 
or Hatfield Company, of the Fifth Battalion, of Phila- 
delphia county militia, Colonel Reed's eldest son, Philip 
Reed, was chosen Captain. 

The following official report of Captain Philip Reed, 
as commanding officer of the Hatfield militia, is a list of 
names of all persons residing in Hatfield Township, eligi- 
ble to military duty. The orthography is an exact tran- 
script of the original. The comparison approved by D. 
H., are the initials of the senior commanding Battalion 
officer, Daniel Hiester, Jr. : 

A True Return of all Persons Capable for Bear- 
ing (Arms) in my Company, Philip Reed, Cap. 
November the 23th, 1780. 
Martin Sheive, Trummer. Jacob Ruth, 
Peter Conveir, fifer. Henry Johnson, 

Jacob Reed, Major. Peter King, 

Philip Reed, Captain. Martin King, 

David Davy, Lieutenant. Yost Wile, 
Jacob Sorver, Ensign. Jacob Swartz, 

Thomas Morgan, Serjeant. John Rosenbury, 
Henry Over, Serjeant. Isaac Wisler, 

George Thomas, Serjeant. Samuel Wisler, 
Jacob Rees, John Wisler, 

Charles Shellenberger, John Wyerman, 

John Shellenberger, Jacob Swartly, 

Andrew Morgan, Abraham Mayer, 

John Jenckins, John Miller, 

Zachariah Clawson, Enock Miller, 

Henry Sheive, Joth Miller, 

Jacob Reed (Jr.), Melcker Yeoder, 

Henry Shellenberger, William Luckin, 



6o 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



Thomas Davy, 
Conrad Leidy, 
John Kline, 
Phillip Sorver, 
William Sneer, 
John Luckins, 
George Metzger, 
Enoch Davis, 
Jacob Sneer, 
Isaiah Thomas, 
John Sorver, 
Jacob Sipble, 
Jacob Convear, 
Adam Sheive, 
Jacob Kline, 
Isaac Morgan, 
Michael Knuckle, 
Christian Beam, 
Jacob Stonborner, 
Edward Hoxworth, 



Henry Rosenbury, 
David Ruth, 
David Rosenbury, 
Isaac Rosenbury, 
John Funck, 
Peter Frick, 
Abraham Allabach, 
John Rosenbury, 
Yellis Casle, 
Jacob Oberholtzer, 
John Oberholtzer, 
Joseph Oberholtzer, 
Isaac Oberholtzer, 
George Stouffer, 
John Johnson, 
Andrew Fatt, 
Henry Lewis, 
Israel Thomas, 
Martin Wyerman. 



A True Return of my Company without fraud to the 
State or any individual. 

Philip Reed, Captain. 
Nov. 24th, 1780. 

Compared Jan'y 29, 178 1, D.H. 1 

1 " Perkiomen Region," Vol. III., p. 4. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



61 



Class Roll of the Fifth Battalion, Philadelphia 
County Militia, for the year of 178 i, as Com- 
manded by Philip Reed, of Hatfield 
Township. 1 



First Class: 

Jacob Johnson, 
Jacob Ruth, 
George Metzger, 
Jonathon Miller, 
John Rosenburry, 
John Wireman, 
Jost Wile, 
William Skilton, 
George Shive. 

Second Class: 

Joseph Oberholtzer, 
John Shellenberger, 
Christian Beam, 
Jacob Swartly, 
David Rosenbury, 
Andrew Morgan, 
John Jenkins, 
John Kline, 
John Wisler, 
Henry Selsor. 

Third Class: 
Conrad Leidig, 
John Rosenberger, 
David Ruth, 
Charles Shellenberger, 



Martin Wireman, 
Henry Shive, 
John Johnson, 

Fourth Class: 
Enock Miller, 
John Overholtzer, 
Jacob Comford, 
Philip Survor, 
Knock Davis, 
Edward Hoxworth, 
Jacob Stoneburner. 

Fifth Class: 
John Funck, 
Abraham Allebach, 
Isaac Rosenburry, 
Martin King, 
Samuel Wisler, 
Henry Shellenberger, 
John Luckins, 
Samuel Jones. 

Sixth Class: 

Thomas Morgan, 
Henry Over, 
George Thomas, 
Jacob Swartz, 



^ee Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XIV., p. 20. 



62 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Peter Frick, Isaiah Thomas, 

Thomas Davey, Isaac Wisler, 

William Luckins, Zachariah Clawson, 

Peter King, Aaron Scout, 

George Staufter, James Lowghead. 
Isaac Morgan. 

Eighth Class: 

Seventh Class: Jacob Overholtzer, 

Melchoir Yodder, Henry Johnson, 

Yellas Cassel, Abraham Myar, 

Isaac Overholtzer, John Server, 

Henry Rosenberger, Christian Leidich. 

A comparison of names in " A True Return of all 
Persons Capable of Bearing Arms " and the " Roster of 
Captain Philip Reed's Company of Hatfield Militia," 
shows that names appear in the one list and not the other. 
This is accounted for by the fact that some were Tories, 
and although subject to military duty refused to serve 
the American cause; others had conscientious and religious 
scruples that forbade them to serve in the army. Addi- 
tions to the ranks were largely brought about by the 
coming into the township of such as were capable of 
bearing arms, and as citizens were subject to military 
duty. 

By the middle of the summer of 178 1, the first divi- 
sion of the French reinforcements had arrived in Rhode 
Island, and a combined movement of the allied forces on 
New York, to capture the enemy quartered there, was 
planned by General Washington. 1 As early as the middle 
of June of this year four classes of militia of the State 
were, by the Supreme Executive Council, ordered to hold 

1 " Life and Correspondence of General Joseph Reed," Vol. II., p. 238. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 63 

themselves in readiness to march to the support of the 
Continental army, if further advise make it necessary. 1 
On the twenty-seventh of July General Washington 
made requisition on Pennsylvania for her militia troops. 
Their place of rendezvous to be at Trenton, New Jersey, 2 
not later than August 12. These orders came to the 
farmers in the midst of their harvest. Regardless of 
their duties at home they responded promptly, and were 
soon ready and on the march to the place of destination. 

The troops moved in separate bodies, and arrived at 
their appointed place at irregular periods. By the 
middle of August General Joseph Reed, President of the 
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, was in 
camp and took personal command of the Pennsylvania 
militia and remained in the field until countermanding 
orders were received, and the contemplated, allied move- 
ment on the British, at New York, was abandoned. 

In the letter written by Jacob Reed, Jr., son of Colonel 
Jacob Reed, he states that he accompanied his father, 
with the troops, at this time to Trenton, New Jersey. 
These troops while at Trenton did not experience a very 
pleasant camp life — bad water, insufficient food and dis- 
tressingly hot weather made their existence anything 
but agreeable. A letter from President Reed to Gen- 
eral Washington, written on September 2, 1780, relating 
to these affairs says: "Having dismissed the militia, 
collected the military stores, and transferred to the 
quartermaster and commissary all that remained of our 
forage and provision, I shall set out immediately for 
Philadelphia. In calling on the militia of the State on 
this occasion, I have endeavored to conform to your 

1 "Colonial Records," Vol. XII., p. 386. 

2 " Pennsylvania Archives," Fiist Series, Vol. VIII., p. 456. 



64 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

Excellency's order, both in letter and spirit; they only 
regret that circumstances have not permitted them to give 
you further proof of their affection and confidence ; and 
on any further occasion I trust they will be equally ready 
to obey your commands." 1 

With the continuation of the war, the proscribed duties 
of the militia increased and became more laborious. 
Composed as they were largely of the busy populace of 
the rural districts, their military duties and training fre- 
quently required great personal sacrifice, and sometimes 
became burdensome and distressing to their families and 
personal interests. To be ever alert and ready to obey 
all orders and summonses to appear in the field in military 
attire, to bear arms, to leave behind their families and 
their homes, ofttimes in the midst of very necessary 
work and cares, were burdens that were heavy for any 
but patriotic, patient, orderly and sturdy citizen soldiers. 
Other demands were now made upon the neighborhood 
— as drafts for clothing and food supplies for the Con- 
tinental army, which taken from their limited supply 
and production, accumulated under adverse circumstances, 
paid for in receipts of a deteriorated currency, where hard- 
ships that none other than loyal, patriotic, patient and 
tolerant people could bear. But the cause was theirs — 
it was liberty at any sacrifice or death. 

The movements of the British army were uncertain 
at this period. The authorities of Pennsylvania were 
frequently concerned. Reports were rife that the enemy 
would again make an attack upon Philadephia — the seat 
of the national government. The militia forces were 
kept in a state of readiness in case of an emergency. 2 

1 " Life and Correspondence of General Joseph Reed," Vol. II., p. 249. 
2 " Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, Vol. IX., p. 387. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 65 

In September, 1 Congress becoming considerably alarmed 
at the prospect of a probable movement on Philadelphia 
by the British, recommended to the State of Pennsylvania 
to muster in field service in addition to other militia forces, 
four classes of Philadelphia County militia, and to 
rendezvous as soon as possible at Newtown, Bucks County, 
to guard against any probable movement on Philadelphia 
by General Clinton's forces, now concentrated at New 
York. From these reports the militia troops and their 
commanders were kept in a high state of alarm as to the 
probable outcome. Military orders were flying thick and 
fast. Troops were ordered hither and thither. Great 
efforts were made to enlist men from the militia forces 
into the Continental service. The Government was 
offering large bounties and quite numerous were the 
changes made in the ranks. 

The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown virtually 
terminated the Revolutionary War, although the British 
army still held many prominent posts; all fear of any 
great danger to the Americans from the enemy were over. 
The militia forces were still being regularly trained on 
field days — drilled and kept in a state of efficiency and 
readiness for any unexpected emergency. A state of more 
or less uneasiness and uncertainty remained with these 
troops until the Treaty of Peace was signed by Great 
Britain, on September 3, 1783. 

Thus closed the war with Great Britain. This country 
was now free — the shackles of bondage and oppression 
were removed, and out of chaos a new form of government 
was to be created. In due time the American people 
proved equal to the occasion, and the foundation of the 



1 " Colonial Records," Vol. XIII., p. 533. 
6 



66 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

present excellent superstructure was laid, in which all of 
her citizens are free and participate equally in her affairs. 

Her citizens hereabouts, as elsewhere, were crippled 
after the cessation of hostilities. The war was a heavy 
drain on their means and resources, but the sturdy citizen 
now put forth extra efforts to restore the severe loss. In 
time, by thrift, enterprise and united effort, with a sound 
currency, a new order of things prevailed, and the re- 
sources of the whole country alike grew and prospered. 

In the accomplishment of these ends, Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed, as a loyal and energetic citizen, con- 
tributed his share. As the war was over, he was relieved 
by his own desire, of military duty and its cares. This 
gave him more time to devote to local interests, to his 
family and to his farm. He prospered in worldly means 
as others of the new nation, and shared its comforts and 
blessings as his loyal brethren. He now received the ap- 
pointment at the hands of the authorities, several posi- 
tions of public trust. These he held for a number of 
years with credit to himself, the community and the State. 
As a leading citizen of Hatfield he assisted the township 
materially in its early affairs; in directing its destinies — 
its transformation to conform with the new order of 
things due to change of government. 

In 1783 he purchased a farm, of nearly one hundred 
acres of land improved with buildings, of John Garner, 
a Mennonite immigrant, situated in New Britain Town- 
ship, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The farm bordered 
on Montgomery County, and was located about one mile 
east of the present Colmar station. 

Captain Philip Reed, his eldest son, about this period 
married Elizabeth Solliday, the only daughter of the 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 67 

immigrant, Frederick Solliday, 1 of Bedminister Town- 
ship, Bucks County. A short time after the marriage of 
this couple they removed to the Garner Farm of Colonel 
Reed, in New Britain Township, Bucks County, Penn- 
sylvania. This farm was now divided into two tracts, 
and Captain Philip Reed purchased from his father the 
western portion, consisting of some forty acres of land. 
This he immediately improved with suitable farm build- 
ings, such as a log dwelling, barn, etc. 

The Neshaminy Creek flows through the western por- 
tion of the Garner property purchased by Philip Reed. 
About 1790 he dammed the waters of the creek, erected 
on its banks a grist and saw mill, but a short dis- 
tance from his farm buildings. Here Captain Reed 
carried on milling and lumbering in conjunction with 
farming. About 1800 he disposed of this property to 
one by the name of Krout. For many years after, this 
was known as Krout's mill, by the people of this com- 
munity. It seems to have been one of the earliest mills 
erected on the upper Neshaminy. On Reading Howell's 
map of Pennsylvania, published in 1792, it is designated 
as Reed's mill, and is the only one given in this locality. 
These old mill buildings stood until a few years ago, when 

1 It is said that Frederick Solliday, besides this only daughter, had 
seven sons, who were all musicians — who became fifers and drummers 
— in the Revolutionary Army. Several of these sons learned the trade 
of clock and watch making, in Switzerland ; and the numerous old Solli- 
day clocks found throughout this section of the country, are the product 
of these sons or their descendants. The elder Solliday, although a Pala- 
tine, came to this country from Switzerland.'in 1756 — fleeing first from 
Germany into Switzerland with his family on account of religious perse- 
cution, and, then, from Switzerland, to this country for the same cause. 
While in Switzerland the elder Solliday indentured his two eldest sons to 
learn clockmaking ; these followed the family later on to the colonies. 
This family became prominently identified with the early history of Bed- 
minster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 



68 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

from disuse and deterioration they were torn down. At 
the present time nothing remains of this old landmark 
save remnants of the dam, mill race and demolished 
foundation walls. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed resided on his Hatfield 
farm until 1793, when he sold the same and removed his 
family to the reserved part of the Garner property, in 
New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 
This farm, at the time, was improved with old-styled 
colonial farm buildings, similar to those just vacated by 
Colonel Reed at his Hatfield home. The dwelling 
house was built of logs, one and a half story high, with 
a huge stone chimney widened out in the first story into 
a large, broad and deep fireplace. These massive fire- 
places were an essential feature of the colonial homes. 
They were made, in winter, with their fires of huge blocks 
of wood, to warm the interior of the building, and over 
them was done the family cooking, etc. 

Here at this home, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed 
spent his declining years. As he grew to advanced age, 
the duties of the farm were passed over to his youngest 
son Andrew, who remained with his father and cared 
for him until his death, in 1820. 

Andrew Reed was the grandfather of the compiler. 
On April 21, 1807, he married Mary Hartman, daughter 
of Henry and Sarah (Harner) Hartman, of Lykens 
Valley, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. In the old 
homestead was born five children to this young couple, 
namely — Jacob, Michael (the father of the compiler), 
Julian, Sarah and Abigail. 1 

1 Abigail Reed married Allen Hackman. They were the parents of 
George Hackman, reader of this sketch on the day of the dedication of 
the monument to Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed. 




1-ANDREW AND MARY (HARTMAN) REED. 
2-MICHAEL AND MARY (ROCKAFELLOW) REED. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 69 

Michael Hartman Reed was born in 1809, and was 
reared at this home with his grandfather Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob Reed. At the time of his grandfather's 
death, in 1820, he was a lad in his twelfth year, and well 
remembered his aged grandfather and many of his char- 
acteristics. 

He spoke of him as a man of ordinary height, 
rather thick set, and strongly built. He possessed an 
anomaly in his thumbs, which interested him much as a 
boy — they were double. He had an extremely kind dis- 
position, a strong religious turn, was firmly set in his 
opinions, and of a resolute and determined nature. In 
his advanced years, he was very much delighted with 
company, and was an entertaining talker and a close 
listener. Friends and neighbors frequently gathered at 
his home in the evenings, and before the open hearth 
of the quaint old fireplace, while the embers glowed in 
their brilliancy, would listen with great emotion and in- 
terest as the old Colonel would relate incidents and ex- 
periences of Colonial times and of the Revolution. 
Michael, as a youth, delighted to listen to these enter- 
taining stories and reminiscences, and they made an ever- 
lasting impression on his youthful mind, so that in after 
years they were never forgotten. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed was well known and 
popular in the surrounding country. He was held in 
great consideration and esteem by his people; he was 
looked upon as an exemplary person, and was considered 
above the average in knowledge and intelligence. As the 
neighborhood was composed largely of German people, he 
being conversant with both English and German and 
possessed of considerable business and executive ability, 
commanded the respect and confidence of his friends and 



70 Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 

neighbors. These qualities, associated with a high sense 
of probity, made him frequently their advisor and coun- 
sellor. He was ofttimes called upon to assist them, in 
righting disputes, in the settlement of estates, to write 
wills, agreements, bonds, notes, and to perform for them 
other business of a similar nature. 

He was an extremely patriotic man. It is said that 
at all times his patriotism ran high; that he was par- 
ticular in impressing the importance of this on his family, 
and that they should never " desert their country." He 
always allowed that the hardships they endured as Revo- 
lutionary soldiers to secure the country's independence, 
made it imperative upon them, at all hazards, to maintain 
and perpetuate the principles and government for which 
he sacrificed so much. These parental persuasions had 
their influence with his sons; they did as their father; 
when they grew to manhood, they showed their public 
spirit by associating themselves with the soldiery and 
patriotic movements of their neighborhood. 

We have previously learned that Colonel Reed's eldest 
sons, Philip and Jacob, actively, although young, par- 
ticipated in the Revolutionary struggle. When the war 
for Independence was over we find in the military com- 
mands of the neighborhood where these sons lived, their 
association with the militia forces of these localities. 
After the removal of Jacob Reed, Jr., to Sugar Creek 
Township, Stark County, Ohio, in 1813, he associated 
himself with the earliest organization of militia of that 
locality. These troops' first meeting place for organiza- 
tion and drill, it is recorded, was on the farm of Jacob 
Reed, Jr. 

The younger sons, Andrew and John, joined the 
organized militia of their respective homes. When the 




1— GRAVES OF LIEUT. COL. JACOB AND MAGDALENA (LEIDY) REED IN 1900 
BEFORE THE ERECTION OF THE MONUMENT. 

2— GRAVES OF LIEUT. COL. JACOB AND MAGDALENA (LEIDY) REED IN 1901- 
AFTER THE ERECTION OF THE MONUMENT (REVERSE*. 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 7 1 

second war with Great Britain took place in 18 12, other 
of Colonel Reed's descendants volunteered their services 
to their country; some of these participated in the hostili- 
ties, while others afforded aid and assistance to their 
country in another way. 

Such is the record but feebly told of one who lived 
and died in years gone by, and left behind a glorious, 
record and an imperishable name. The stone that has 
lately been erected over his remains is but a fitting tribute 
of respect, and was placed there by those of his de- 
scendants who deemed it a duty; and whose regard for 
their ancestor and his deeds is accompained with affec- 
tion, filial pride and admiration. 

This life it seems is but a fleeting dream, 
We are, as we are by others seen, 
Like the budding rose that expands in bloom, 
Beautiful to behold in glory at high noon ; 
Only to fade away — to make room — 
For others in the wake who follow soon. 
Achievements, either great or small, 
May upon the flickering mortal fall, 
In history's record of those who are bygone 
It is by deeds alone that they are known ; 
When such drop in record's safe retreat, 
Secure they are and perish not indefinite ; 
Such is this temporal life, while in full sway, 
Overcast by shadows as they fall by the way. 

Through busy cares of life — we all know, 
While onward in progress we fleetingly go, 
Pass by important events as trifling things ; 
A pause as it were — a reflective thought, 
By the roadside of this march is only wrought 
A self-consciousness of what this all means. 



72 



Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed. 



Then through deep regard and self respect, 
We feel for the worthy — stop, bow and reflect, 
It is*deeds that speak, when honorable they be — 
' Tis these we cherish and perpetuate in memory 




Extracts trom tbe 
DeMcatorg Htoress 

BY 

REV. B. F. LUCKENBILL 

Souderton, Montgomery County, Pa. 
Pastor of the Reformed Congregation of Leidy's Church 




DEDICATORY ADDRESS. 

" Sacred soil ! holy ground ! May we feel that on such 
we stand. May this sacred, holy spot, in which rests 
the dust of a Christian patriot, and above all of a patriotic 
Christian of Revolutionary days, bring back to memory 
that dim, though glorious, past. Let us pause a short 
moment here and reflect what the men of that trying 
period did. United they prepared for the storm which 
was coming on. United they met the lion of the plain 
and the mistress of the seas with the Hessian hirelings. 
United they conquered their mighty foe. United they 
took their name among the nations of the earth. United 
the nation stands and our prayer is that she may stand 
united till yon sun is lost in his Eternal Source and Light, 
and the nations are become the nations of God and of 
His Christ. 

" Of that illustrious, patriotic army Lieutenant Colonel 
Jacob Reed, whose native home was in this community 
and whose sacred dust rests beneath this beautiful monu- 
ment, was one of whom we are justly proud and whom 
we honor. President Lincoln, of sainted memory, at the 
dedication of the National monument at Gettysburg, said : 
1 But, in a larger sense we can not dedicate — we can not 
consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground.' Well 
may we feel on this sacred spot as the immortal Lincoln 

75 



"J 6 Dedicatory Address. 

felt on that national battlefield. On God's acre already 
dedicated sleeps the patriotic Christian Colonel Jacob 
Reed. I should hesitate to use certain terms were it not 
for the fact that he whom we honor to-day was a Chris- 
tian. I rejoice, not in egotistic pride, not in bigoted nar- 
row mindedness, but in humble, filial joy and admiration, 
that he was a member of our denomination. * * * 

" Your family name or rather your family names have 
a glorious past, as we heard from the biography. May 
your names so promising by the interest you take in his- 
tory continue to be ever green on our national family tree. 
May this community draw an inspiration from the life of 
Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed. May the boys and girls 
of this community be led here to learn of freedom 
and to emulate the lives of great heroes and christian 
men. * * * 

" Monuments teach such lessons. Empty sleeves and 
crutches of true soldiers make us better men and better 
Christians. * * * 

" In authority vested in me, their deputy, by the Mont- 
gomery County Historical Society, I now dedicate this 
monument in the name of God the Father, the Son and 
the Holy Ghost. Amen." 



Ibe jfousbt witb TOaabington 



MRS. FINDLEY BRADEN 
(Nee Anna Margaretta Rile) 

Philadelphia, Pa. 



AN ORIGINAL POEM RECITED BY THE AUTHOR 

A Great-Great-Granddaughter of 

Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed 




He Fought With Washington. 

To voice the merit of a brave ancestor, 

We've come this autumn day, with willing feet, 
Extolling one who was in truth a Nestor, 

His life from youth to age, a song complete ; 
Who loyally both God and Country serving, 

Was blest with over four-score-years-and-ten, 
His warm heart ne'er from right and justice swerving, 

A patriot, and a manly man 'mong men ! 

Hatfield's remembered son, so bold and daring, 

And near this spot, he nobly lived and died, 
His honest sunburned face perhaps oft wearing 

A look of sadness, mingled too with pride ; 
For in the history of this our county, 

He figures 'mong the many, great and true, 
Who 've made us debtors by their matchless bounty, 

In gaining, giving Liberty, anew. 

Long years ago, when raged the revolution, 

And headstrong George the Third was England's king, 
When swift was drawn the Sword of Retribution, 

Which then alone, could Peace and Freedom bring ; 
Out rode the Colonel from his quiet dwelling, 

With keen eye fixed on the advancing foe. 
Grave thoughts from heart to brain were madly welling, 

His were the fears that only heroes know. 

79 



8o 



He Fought With Washington. 



2 aire a'frc t ; ©e&nicft bay granctg .SQaila). 




TITLE PAGE OF LANCASTER ALMANAC FOR YEAR 1776 — UPON WHICH 
WASHINGTON WAS FIRST CALLED THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY. 



He Fought With Washington. 81 

He saw our Country's first dear flag high waving, 

Its stars alas, so pitifully few ! 
But each one on his memory deep graving 

The meaning of that new Red, White and Blue. 
He was maligned, ill-treated by the Tories, 

A shining mark for bitter British hate ! 
And proudly handed down are thrilling stories, 

Concerning what might then have been his fate. 

They captured him, and would have killed, if able, 

For helping on the cause to him so dear. 
Not for an instant did he prove unstable, 

Impervious alike to threat and jeer. 
They once half dug his grave for cruel interment, 

Historians of that stirring period say ! 
But life was spared for slow and sure preferment, 

His fleet horse quickly bearing him away. 

He fought with Washington ! A splendid record, 

Perpetuated by this modest stone ! 
What though those days and nights were strangely checkered, 

That cheers were often followed by a groan ! 
Was not he one of the despondent forces, 

Who crossed to Trenton, 'mid the drifting ice 
Surprised the Hessians in their reckless courses, 

And took a thousand prisoners, in a trice ! 

Then Princeton gave fresh cause for exultation, 

For Washington attacked Cornwallis there, 
And won the day, with wide-spread commendation, 

While confidence succeeded grim despair. 
At Chadd's Ford, later on, they all were routed, 

Despite the valor of young La Fayette, 
And when the British gaily, idly flouted, 

The heart of Jacob Reed filled with regret. 
7 



82 He Fought With Washington. 

He saw historic old Chew house surrounded, 

Could but retreat, that morn from Germantown, 
Yet the Americans, with faith unbounded, 

Still struggled on for victory, and renown. 
Drear Valley Forge dread memories would awaken, 

That made the fires of patriotism burn, 
Though Philadelphia by Howe was taken, 

With Monmouth yet to be the tide's glad turn. 

At last, the blessed Bell of Independence 

Rang loud and clear, till hill and valley heard ! 
No more upon a king to dance attendance, 

The Colonies ruled by a Royal word ! 
They were instead, the States for aye United, 

Their future stretching out so fair and bright ! 
No longer was there cause to be affrighted ! 

The Day had dawned, and there was no more night. 



O wise forefather, still so calmly sleeping ! 

He cannot hear our eager words to-day. 
Sun, moon, and stars their faithful watch are keeping, 

While we can only kneel, and humbly pray, 
That out amid the world's dull whirl and rattle, 

We, too, may stand courageous through all strife, 
Not heroes on some deadly field of battle, 

But on the deadlier field of modern life. 

If he could see our flag this day unfurling, 

It's shining stars so grandly multiplied, 
And know how often since it has been hurling 

Defiance, when an enemy is spied ; 
He'd say, that not in vain those Continentals, 

Undaunted by the sound of shot and shell, 
Half clad in soiled, and ragged regimentals, 

Thus early fought, and ever nobly fell ! 



He Fought With Washington. 

But he has long been done with foes and warring, 

And tastes the sweetness of Eternal Peace, 
His earth-worn spirit constantly adoring 

The God above, who bids all wars to cease ! 
Yet let us keep his deeds in recollection, 

Because our land from tyranny was freed, 
And sometimes give, in grateful retrospection, 

A three-times-three for dear old Colonel Reed ! 



83 




Zbe Xeifcs family 

of 

ffranconia Eownsbtp 



Dr. W. H. REED 

Norristown, Pa. 



HISTORICAL AND INTERESTING 
FAMILY RECORDS 




1-EARLY LEIDY HOME IN FRANCONIA. 

THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE HOUSE IS BUILT OF LOGS, NOW PLASTEREO, AND WAS ERECTED BY THEM 
ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE 18TH CENTURY. 



2-LEIDY TANNERY. 

ILT BY JACOB LEIDY IN 1788; ENLARGED BY SAMUEL LEIDY IN 1818; REBUILT BY JONAS LEIDY IN 1877. 




THE LEIDY FAMILY. 

The progenitor of the Leidy family, of Franconia 
Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was 

SIGNATURE TAKEN FROM THE [Vjrf] IMMIGRATION RECORDS. 

Jacob Leidy 1 , a Palatine, who immigrated to the Colony 
of Pennsylvania, from Germany. He arrived in port 

" i In *' A^Bdef History ofthe Indian Creek Reformed Church," written 
by its pastor Rev. Jacob Kehm, and published some years ago in The 
Reformed Church Messenger, edited and published by the late Rev. 
Samuel Reed Fisher, D.D., appears this foot-note: 

"Jacob Leite (now written Leidy), was tbe maternal great-grandfather 
ofthe Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Fisher. His name appears on the Colonial 
Records at the date of October 2, 1727, and is there spelled ' Leidy.' » 

This Jacob Leidy was an early trustee, and a member of the Building 
Committee ofthe Indian Creek Reformed Church when it was rebuilt in 
1754 Dr Fisher's mother was Eve Reed — a daughter of Lieutenant 
Colonel Jacob and Magdalena (Leidy) Reed. Magdalena (Leidy) Reed 
(Dr Fisher's grandmother), was a daughter of the immigrant Leidy — 
probably the youngest child - she was born on January 24, 1739- F™rn 
this statement of Dr. Fisher's I accept the fact that Jacob Leidy who 
arrived with his family in the Colony of Pennsylvania, on the ship "Ad- 
venturer," on October 2, 1727, is the progenitor of the Leidy family of 
Franconia. 

87 



$8 The Leidy Family. 

at Philadelphia, on October 2, 1727, in ship "Adven- 
turer," late from Rotterdam, and Plymouth. Soon after 
his arrival in the colony, he settled with his family in this 
neighborhood, just exactly where, at this time, I am unable 
to say. 

The elder Jacob Leidy was married in Germany; his 
family came with him to America. His oldest child, 
named Jacob, 1 was born in Germany, on July 25, 17 19. 

'Since writing the paper on the "Leidy" family, I have come into 
possession of additional data, that makes it questionable whether Tacob 
Leidy, Jr., as I have it, is the oldest child of Jacob Leidy, the immigrant. 
In the office for the Recording of Wills, Administration Book F., page 
474, in Philadelphia, Pa., appears this entry : 

" To Jacopura Lida widow and relict of Paul Lida, deceased, and 
Jacob Leidi a brother of the deceased — Greeting — Memorandum. 
That Letters of Administration in Common form were granted to ye 
above on the Estate of the said Paul Lida, deceased (of Hatfield Town- 
ship). Inventory to be exhibited on or before the 5th day of February 
next, and an audit on or before the 6th day of January, A.D., 1754. 
Dated in Philadelphia, January 5, 1753." 

In the final settlement of this estate appears this memorandum of the 
heirs of Paul Leidy, deceased, a "widow (Jacobina Leidy) and five 
children." Paul Leidy's death occurring in December, 1752, would in 
all likelihood make his marriage about 1740 — this would make his mar- 
riage much earlier than that of his brother Jacob Leidy, who I had been 
led to believe was the eldest son. 

As early as February 27, 1739, Paul Leidy acquired lands from the 
Peuns, located in Hatfield Township, Philadelphia County, Pa. His con- 
tiguous lands swelled in size until at the time of his death his farm con- 
sisted of, as recorded by the appraisers, "the improvements of 240 acres 
of land." The inventory was quite large, and among the items enumer- 
ated were, "one man servant valued at 6 pounds; one maid servant 
valued at 56 pounds and 10 shillings." The appraisors were William 
Nash, Jacob Arndt and George Grossman. The names appearing on the 
Bond, dated January 5, 1753, were, "Jacobuynea Lida, widow and relict 
of Paul Lida, deceased, Jacob Leida, brother of Paul Lida, of Franconia 
Township, yeoman, and Yost Panacake of the same place, Innholder, and 
John Shcllenberger of Hatfield, yoeman, all in the county of Phila- 
delphia." 

These names of Leidys appear in the settlement of the estate as cred- 
itors : John Leida, Jacob Lida, Magdaleua Lida and Charles Lida. 



The Leidy Family. 89 

Another son I have record of and who is interred in the 
old burying ground associated with this place, is Carl 
Ludwig Leidy, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1729. 
This son was the lineal ancestor of the late Professor 
Joseph Leidy, of Philadelphia, an eminent naturalist, 
physician and professor of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Another child of the immigrant — a daughter — named 
Magdalena Leidy, was born January 24, 1739. She 
married Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, of Revolutionary 
fame, and are my great-grandparents. There were other 
children of the elder Leidy, but I do not possess a com- 
plete record of them. Some of these removed to other 
counties of this State, became lost to the present genera- 
tion of this family hereabouts — but left numerous descend- 
ants, of whom some are to be found living to-day. 

Jacob Leidy, the immigrant, was one of the original 
members of the congregation of the Indian Creek Re- 
formed Church of Franconia. This church is located on 
its original site, but a short distance west of the present 
borough of Telford, in Montgomery County, Pennsyl- 
vania. It is a very old congregation and its organization 
is associated with the earliest history of this section of the 
country. Just in what year the congregation was or- 
ganized by these early pioneers, is not definitely known. 
The first church building in which to worship was erected 

The widow of Paul Leidy remained on the homestead until her death, 
which occurred in 1778. She made a will, dated April 3, 1778, which was 
probated on November 7, 1779. ^ n ner W 'N mention is made of her five 
children, namely, Johannes, Conrad, Anna Mary, married to Henry 
Scheib, Margaret, married to John Kunkle, and Catherine Hoffman. 
(Mrs. Hoffman in all probability was a widow). Thomas Zeiner and 
(Lieut. Colonel) Jacob Reed were witnesses. 

Conrad Leidy and Henry Scheib were members of Captain Philip 
Reed's company of Hatfield militia during the Revolution. 



90 The Leidy Family. 

sometime previous to 1746. In 1755, Michael Bergey, 
of this place, conveyed three-quarters of an acre of land 
to this congregation for church purposes. The Board of 
Trustees, as recorded in the article of conveyance, are 
Peter Gerhart, Jacob Arndt, John Nyce and Jacob Leidy. 
The residence of this Jacob Leidy was given at this time 
as Franconia Township, Philadelphia County, Pa. 

In the early Records of the congregation are to be 
found numerous entries of baptisms, marriages and deaths 
of the older members of the Leidy family. 

Jacob Leidy, Jr., the oldest son of Jacob Leidy, the 
immigrant, was born in Germany, on July 25, 17 19, and 
died in Franconia Township, on August 18, 1794. He 
married Barbara, a daughter of John (Neiss) Nyce, a 
neighbor and also one of the first trustees of the Indian 
Creek Reformed Church. She was born in 1725, and 
died on May 24, 1798. They had issue eight children, 
namely — John, Jacob (married Feronica Schell) ; l Catha- 
rine (married Frederick Fluke) ; Margaret (married 
Jacob Hengen) ; Anna Maria (married on Febrnary 4, 
1768, Andrew Reed, of Marlborough Township) ; Eliza- 
beth (married on September 28, 1772, Philip Nyce) ; 
Magdalena (married John Fluke) ; Barbara (married on 
April 18, 1776, the Rev. Casper Wack). 

This Jacob Leidy, Jr., was a prominent man in the 
affairs of Franconia Township and was an early and ex- 
tensive land owner in this section. The first purchase 
of land by him, that I find recorded, was for a part of a 
tract consisting of some five hundred acres suitated in 
Franconia Township (then Philadelphia County), Mont- 
gomery County, Pennsylvania. This land was deeded by 

1 Daughter of John, of Michael Schell. The original family record of 
this pair is in the possession of Rev. M. Reed Minnich. Vide infra. 



The Leidy Family. 91 

George O'Kill and others, to Jacob Leidy, yeoman, on 
January 1st, 1753, and subject to an nominal annual quit- 
rent, to the Penns. The conveyances of this property, 
until it was acquired by Jacob Leidy, is somewhat interest- 
ing. 

The Penns, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, 
conveyed some three thousand acres of land to Robert, 
Frances, Mary, Rachel and John, children of the late 
WiJliam Asheton, of Salford, England. The exact loca- 
tion of this land seems indefinite, anyhow, five hundred 
acres, by survey, was found situated in Franconia Town- 
ship, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. In the course 
of time the Asheton children all died, unmarried, and 
intestate, with the exception of Frances, who married a 
" Leghn," and Mary, who married a " Washerton," by 
name. These surviving children, who resided in Eng- 
land, subsequently conveyed the five hundred acres situated 
in Franconia Township, which was part of the three thou- 
sand acres they owned, to George O'Kill, a merchant in 
Philadelphia. This real estate transfer took place on 
June 25th, 1750. George O'Kill in turn, on June 19th, 
175 1, sold one-half interest in the above tract of land, to 
Samuel Parr, a gentleman, who resided in Waterford 
Township, Glouster County, New Jersey. In 1753, John 
O'Kill and Samuel Parr sold the above tract of five hun- 
dred acres of land, divided into five parcels, to the fol- 
lowing named persons — all Germans — Yost Cope, John 
Krout, Christian Allebach, William Malthouse (Alt- 
house), and Jacob Leidy. These names are still familiar 
in this locality and many of their lineal descendants are 
residents of this neighborhood. 

It was on Jacob Leidy's farm that a small plot of 
ground was set aside for burial purposes, of which we 



9 2 The Leidy Family. 

will learn more further on. Here many of the above 
named old people and their families were buried, and 
others of this neighborhood. 

Complications and confusion in time presented them- 
selves to the new owners of this tract of five hundred acres 
of land purchased of George O'Kill and Samuel Parr. 
Errors in the original drafts were now discovered, and 
the Penns were asked for a new survey. In time, this 
request was granted, a new survey made, and the differ- 
ences amicably adjusted. Jacob Leidy's portion of land 
in the new deed was designated " Leidysburg." 

Jacob Leidy subsequently acquired other lands until 
his farm in 1769 grew to be, in size, over two hundred 
and sixty acres. Then not feeling secure with his past 
titles for his land, the Penns were petitioned by him to 
make a new survey. In due time the request was com- 
plied with, and the Penns granted Jacob Leidy a new or 
" confirmation " deed, covering the several tracts of land 
or contiguous property. 

Jacob Leidy, the second, was a prominent business man 
in his day. He made the first land purchase by the 
Leidy's, that is recorded in Franconia Township, and 
founded the old " Leidy " homestead. The early dwell- 
ing on this plantation was built of logs. It was located 
on the elevated ground but several hundred yards east 
of this point. Here are now found a cluster of more 
modern buildings, and is known as the seat or location of 
the old Leidy tannery. In the old log dwelling, some- 
time about or after the Revolution was opened by him a 
general merchandise store. The store business was car- 
ried on at this place for a number of years, but has for a 
century or more been a thing of the past. Here, in 1788, 
was started the first Leidy tannery, by Jacob Leidy, the 




56 



JArma* ^t/ftrU ata-r,/^. 



yrayscdttmC 



94 The Leidy Family. 

third. It is said by some historical writers that this was 
the first tannery established in Franconia Township. The 
business of tanning was conducted here with profit by 
successive generations of the Leidy family until within a 
few years, when from a condition of events the business 
was found no longer profitable — scarcity of hides and 
bark, in this section of the country, had ruined the enter- 
prise. Part of the old tannery building has recently been 
torn down by the present owner, Andrew Leidy. The 
site of the old " Leidy " tannery is still a familiar spot to 
the older people, and is one ot the lost industries of this 
locality. 

Jacob Leidy, the second, took a prominent part in the 
Revolution for the American cause. He served in the 
ranks, and also as an officer, during the war. For a 
while he was Lieutenant of the Franconia company, of 
the Philadelphia County militia. His company of troops 
in their first three years' service belonged to the First 
Battalion; and, the second three years of service to the 
Fifth Battalion, of the Philadelphia County militia, under 
command of his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob 
Reed, of Hatfield. 

In advanced years, Jacob Leidy and wife, "in considera- 
tion of love and affection which they had for their sons 
and to put them in a good way of living and also for 
further consideration of a small sum of money," they 
divided their farm or plantation into two equal parts. 
One part, consisting of one hundred and twenty-one acres 
of land with buildings, they conveyed to their youngest 
son, John Leidy; and another part, also consisting of one 
hundred and twenty-one acres of land with buildings, in- 
cluding the old tannery site and grave yard, they con- 



The Leidy Family. 95 

veyed to their son, Jacob Leidy, Jr., or (Jacob Leidy, the 
third). 

Jacob Leidy, Jr., (the third) was the oldest son of 
Jacob and Barbara (Nyce) Leidy. He was born on 
January 22d, 1759, and died on April 25th, 1834. He 
married Feronica Schell on April 6th, 1779. She was a 
daughter of John and Veronica (Maurer) Schell, of 
Goshenhoppen, who were very prominent and well-to-do 
people of that vicinity. Veronica (Schell) Leidy was 
born in 1755, and died on January 31st, 1826. This 
couple's remains are interred in the old Leidy burial 
ground. 

Jacob and Veronica (Schell) Leidy had issue as fol- 
lows: John, born March 9th, 1780; Maria Margretta, 
born April 12th, 1781; Barbara, born January 24th, 
1783 (married Abraham Worman) ; Catharine, born 
June 24th, 1784 (married Jacob Sholl) ; Jacob, born 
March 16th, 1786; Elizabeth, born October 15th, 1788, 
(married Rev. John Henry Gerhart) ; Magdalina, born 
December 28th, 1790; George Leidy, born November 7th, 
1793 1 1 Abraham, born April 9th, 1796; Samuel, born 
March 2d, 1799. 

Jacob Leidy, the third, at the time of his death, in 
1834, was a widower of some eight years. At this time 
his youngest son, Samuel Leidy, was residing on the 
homestead and conducting the tannery. In 18 18 this son 
rebuilt the tannery, and also nearby erected in 1832 a large 
and commodious dwelling, which still stands. 

Carl Ludwig Leidy, son of the immigrant Jacob Leidy, 

1 Rev. George Leidy died on May 30th, 1879, and his remains are in- 
terred in Montgomery cemetery, Norristown, Pennsylvania. He studied 
for trie ministry under the direction of his uncle, Rev. Casper Wack, and 
became an eminent divine of the German Reformed church. 



g6 The Leidy Family. 

was born on December 30th, 1729, and died on Feb- 
ruary 25th, 1785: married Ursula ( — ). She was 
born on February 8th, 1734, and died on April 8th, 1786; 
they are interred side by side in the old Leidy burying 
ground; their graves are marked with tall marble stones, 
and the inscriptions are in German. 

He and his wife were early members of the Indian 
Creek Reformed Church. Their children born to them 
were baptized here; they are all recorded in the church 
book. The first of their children baptized, was Johannes 
Jacob Leyte, on November 7th, 1753, and its uncle and 
aunt — Johannes Jacob and Barbara (Nyce) Leidy, were 
its sponsors. 

They were among the first settlers of Hilltown Town- 
ship, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In his will, probated 
in Bucks County, on March 15th, 1785, the following 
named children are given: Jacob (married on April 17th, 
1777, to Catharine Conover (Kumfurt), daughter of 
Christian Conover or (Kumfurt) ; Margaret (married 
Adam Buzzard) ; Eve (married Conrad Shellingberger) ; 
Hannah (married Christian Fluke) ; Mary (married 
Philip Mumbower) ; Charles; Elizabeth; George; Cath- 
arine; Henry (married on April 3d, 178 1, to Elsia Bar- 
bara Raudenbush). 

This subject was an early and quite an extensive land 
owner in Hilltown Township. Other branches of the 
Leidy family later on moved into Hilltown Township 
and as a result the family here became quite numer- 
ous. From this growth, and great success in business, 
they became widely and popularly known ; and the village 
of " Leidytown " was founded by them. Here in this 
little hamlet the Leidys built a church, a tannery, hotel, 
store, and a number of dwellings. In days past " Leidy- 



The Leidy Family. qj 

town " was a live country village, due solely to Leidy 
enterprise. 

The elder Carl Ludwig Leidy was the lineal ancestor 
of Prof. Joseph Leidy, of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania. This eminent naturalist and physician has builded 
for the Leidys an imperishable name. His work is ac- 
cepted as an authority in natural history, and his scien- 
tific labors have been recognized the world over. This: 
recognition has been so general and wide-spread, and the 
importance and merit of his work so fully appreciated 
that eminent naturalists, scientists, geographers and dis- 
coverers have vied with each other in perpetuating his 
name; of such a character, that in Wyoming, on the 
Western slopes of the Rockies, a little south of the great- 
National Park, snowcapped and rising in solitary- 
grandeur above the plain, stands " Mount Leidy.' 1 ' 
From the eastern coast of Grinnel Island, the highest 
known land on the globe, projecting far into the solitude- 
of the icy northern seas, extends " Cape Joseph Leidy.'" 
" Leidy Column and Leidy Stalactites " are the best of 
their kind in Luray Caves, etc., etc. 

Magdalina Leidy, the youngest child of Jacob Leidy, 
the immigrant, was born in Philadelphia County, Penn- 
sylvania, on January 24th, 1739, and died in New Britain 
Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on August 5th,, 
1804. In 1755 she married Lieutenant Colonel Jacob 
Reed, who was born in Salford Township, Philadelphia 
County, Pennsylvania, on July 6th, 1730, and died in 
New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on 
November 2d, 1820. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed and Jacob Leidy, 2nd, 
who were brothers-in-law, owned farms that were con- 
tiguous; although adjacent, they were located in different 



98 The Leidy Family. 

townships. Colonel Reed's farm was in Hatfield Town- 
ship, and Jacob Leidy's farm was in Franconia Township. 
Here these families prospered as relatives and neighbors. 
They were prominent in local affairs and were very much 
respected by the community at large. They were good 
Christian people — members of the Indian Creek Re- 
formed congregation, and took a leading part in the 
church and its work. 

One of the most notable land marks of this locality, 
founded by the Leidys is the " Old Leidy Cemetery," now 
connected with this church. Previously we learned, the 
first piece of land set aside for such purposes was, by Jacob 
Leidy, the second, on whose property also nearby was 
founded the " Leidy Tannery," by his son, Jacob Leidy, 
Jr., (the third). 

This burial ground was started originally for family 
purposes and the first interments here were Leidys. The 
Indian Creek Reformed church burial ground is several 
miles away from this point, and of which congregation 
they were members. During the Colonial days, this 
county being without regularly constructed roads and the 
ground becoming very miry during the bad weather, the 
inhabitants had great trouble getting to distant burial 
places with their dead. Probably this fact led to the 
selection of a nearby burial place for their dead, on their 
own land. 

We have already learned that on May 2d, 1780, Jacob 
and Barbara (Nyce) Leidy conveyed a messuage, tene- 
ment and tract of land consisting of one hundred and 
twenty-one acres to their son, Jacob Leidy, Jr. ; this tract 
included the plot of ground used for burial purposes. 

Shortly after the death of Jacob Leidy, the second, in 
1794, his son, Jacob Leidy, Jr., in August, 1795, for con- 



The Leidy Family. 99 

sideration of a nominal sum of money, deeded the ceme- 
tery ground of his farm to John Althouse, of Franconia 
Township, Montgomery County, and Abraham Cope, of 
Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who 
represented a number of persons who had formed them- 
selves into an Association, and had already or intended, to 
bury their dead at this place. 

In the agreement the boundaries of this plot of ground 
was as follows: "Beginning at a small Beech tree for 
a corner, standing on the bank of a small stream, two links 
East of a line of George Schneider's land, N. 40 Degrees, 
E. 9 and eight-tenth perches to a stone, for a corner, S. 
28^4 Degrees, E. 12 Perches to a stone, S. 74^ Degrees, 
W. I2y 2 Perches to a stone, N. 2 l /> Degrees, W. 6 and 
seven-tenths Perches, containing ninety-eight perches of 
land." 

This indenture further explains in its recital: " It be- 
ing a part of a tract of land containing one hundred and 
twenty-one acres, which was granted by Jacob Leidy and 
Barbara, his wife, to their son." * * * " Then the said 
Jacob Leidy, (their son), and Feronica his wife, * * * 
granted or mentioned or intended to be hereby granted, 
* * * the above named piece or parcel of land to John 
Althouse and Abraham Cope, to their heirs and assigns for- 
ever, in trust nevertheless to them, the said Althouse and 
Cope, for the use of a grave yard or burying place, for 
number of subscribers or neighbors, in said Franconia and 
Hilltown Township aforesaid, to bury their dead, as there 
are already a great number buried on the southwesterly 
part thereof. Therefore said Althouse and Cope, are by 
said subscribers chosen and appointed trustees and author- 
ized to purchase the said lot for the use aforesaid. And 
as it has hitherto been for the use aforesaid only upon 

L, Of //♦ 



ioo The Leidy Family. 

sufferage without any conveyance or confirmation being 
made to them or any of them, that privilege should remain 
firm and stable forever. Therefore, know ye that whom 
it may concern, that the said described lot or parcel of 
ground by these presents, granted, conveyed and confirmed 
to the said John Althouse and Abraham Cope and to their 
heirs and assigns, to and for the use of said subscribers and 
their posterity forever, and for no other purpose whatso- 
ever to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding. 
And the said Jacob Leidy (the son) and Fronica, his wife, 
for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, 
do hereby covenant, promise and grant to and with said 
John Althouse and Abraham Cope, their heirs and assigns 
by these presents, that they the said Jacob Leidy (the son) 
and Feronica, his wife, and their heirs, the said described 
lot of 98 perches of land, hereditaments and premises 
granted hereby or mentioned so to be for the use above 
said, with the appurtenances unto the said John Althouse 
and Abraham Cope, their heirs and assigns against them 
the said Jacob Leidy and Feronica, his wife, and their 
heirs, and against all every other person and persons 
whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim by warrant, and 
forever defend by these presents, etc." 

This deed was signed by Jacob and Feronica (Schell) 
Leidy, and was acknowledged before Squire Christian 
Weber, on August 1st, 1795. The same was recorded 
in the office for the Recording of Deeds, at Norristown, 
Pa., on May 15th, 1796. 

About this time a small one-story, (and probably) one 
roomed, stone building, was erected on this plot of ground 
for school and funeral purposes. For funerals the build- 
ing was used only during inclement weather. No mention 
is made of this building in the above indenture. 



The Leidy Family. 101 

A later indenture more fully covers this historical 
feature, and includes much other explanatory data, bearing 
on the early history of the old burial ground, so much so 
that the writer deems it important to give considerable of 
the deed verbatim. 

" This indenture made on the 23rd day of May in the 
year of 1827, between John Althouse, of Franconia Town- 
ship, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who survived 
Abraham Cope, late of Hilltown Township, Bucks 
County, deceased, late trustees created by an association of 
Christians of various denominations residing in Franconia 
and parts adjacent thereto, of the one part, and Jacob 
Leidy, Junior, of said Franconia Township; George 
Shellengberger, of Hatfield Township, Montgomery 
County, Henry Cope, of Hilltown Township, Bucks 
County, Pennsylvania, aforesaid. Trustees duly elected 
by said Association, of the other part. 

" Whereas Jacob and Feronica (Schell) Leidy by their 
Indenture, made August 1st, 1795, for the consideration 
therein mentioned did grant and confirm unto the said 
John Althouse and Abraham Cope, (who is since de- 
ceased), * * * all that tract or piece of land * * * in 
trust for the sole use of a grave yard or burying place of the 
said Association and persons that were original subscribers 
and residents in the said township of Franconia and Hill- 
town in the vicinity of the grave yard. 

" Now this Indenture witnessth that the said John Alt- 
house for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, 
* * * paid by the said Jacob Leidy, George Shelleng- 
berger and Henry Cope, and to their successors all that the 
above described lot of land, * * * as tenants in common 
for the sole use of a burying place for the Association of 
the inhabitants in the vicinity to bury their dead therein, 



102 The Leidy Family. 

and house for the use of a school for the education of chil- 
dren, but as often as occasion may be necessary to be 
occupied for worship of the Almighty God, but never to 
be devoted to any other use whatsoever. 

" * * * Whereas, subsequent to the date of the within 
written Indenture the Association within mentioned and 
their posterity again contributed together by subscription, 
money sufficient to build an addition to the school house 
within recited, and have now furnished the same for the 
express purpose to be devoted to divine worship only, and 
never to be suffered by the Trustees of said school to be 
occupied for a school room, and that at funeral processions 
said room shall or may be occupied, notwithstanding 
school being kept therein at the time, and to the end that 
harmony and unanimity in the said Association may be and 
remain forever. We, Jacob Leidy, Jr., George Shelleng- 
berger and Henry Cope, the Trustees within named for 
ourselves and our successors, do hereby reciprocally for 
and in behalf of the said Association consent, promise and 
agree to, and with Jacob Leidy, Sr., and Frederick Huns- 
berger, the present school trustees and their successors, 
that the said Association and the neighboring contributors 
to said school shall or may from time to time and at all 
times hereafter, hold election for Trustees, as often as may 
be deemed necessary by a majority of the same con- 
tributors, after giving at least one week's public notice of 
such election, to be put up at three or more of the most 
public places in the vicinity of said public school house, so 
that the well bettering and maintaining of the said school 
may never be neglected, and the laudable intent thereof be 
continued by our latest posterity in due succession. * * * 
" Signed, Jacob Leidy, Jr., George Shellengberger, 
Henry Cope, Jacob Leidy, Sr., Frederick Hunsberger. 



The Leidy Family. 103 

"Witnesses: Frederick Rotzell, Benj. Reiff. 

"Acknowledged on May 23rd, 1827, before Benjamin 
Reiff, Esq., Justice of the Peace, and Recorded in the office 
for the Recording of Deeds, at Norristown, Pa., on 
November 19th, 1827." 

The above written indenture establishes the fact of the 
early use of these grounds for burial purposes; that the 
same was owned originally by the elder Leidys; that many 
of the neighbors buried their dead here and contributed 
to the support and the maintenance of these grounds for 
the purposes indicated; the early erection thereon of a 
suitable building for school and religious purposes; and 
that the same was set aside for all time as specified. 

This old triangular shaped burial ground, enclosed with 
a substanital wall of stone, is located on the southern slope 
of the vast plain of eastern Franconia. It had its begin- 
ning in the early history of the colony, and is a retired 
and picturesque resting place of the dead. Situated on a 
knoll, formed by the confluence of two streams, their beds, 
worn into narrow valleys with gently sloping hills — head- 
waters of the Skippack Creek. Viewing it and its envir- 
onments from the opposite side of these narrow valleys,, 
presents to the eye an impressive and quaint scene. This 
old graveyard is entirely surrounded by public roads; 
cleared fields, meadow lands and groves of timber broaden 
out in all directions, presenting a view to the eye that is 
interesting, pleasing and beautiful. 

Within the heavy stone walls that enclose this resting 
place of the dead are found the final abodes on this earth 
of persons who have been notable characters in their day. 
A few of these are known — stones mark their graves, and 
history is extant recording their work; there are others 
whose services to mankind were also worthy of recogni- 



104 The Leidy Family. 

tion but now are forgotten — neither tradition nor recorded 
facts remain to tell their story. 

Of the notable persons buried here intermarried with 
'the Leidy family, besides Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed, 
:are the Revs. Casper Wack and John Henry Gerhart. 
Rev. Casper Wack was a prominent minister of the Re- 
formed church, who at one time resided in Franconia 
Township with his family, and whose charge included In- 
dian Creek, Tohickon and Great Swamp Reformed 
churches. 

Rev. Casper Wack was born in Philadelphia, Penna., 
on August 15th, 1752. 

His parents were poor. Through industry and applica- 
tion he acquired an education, and studied for the ministry 
under Dr. Weyburg, a noted divine of the Reformed 
church. After completing his studies, he was appointed 
a supply at Saucon and other churches of Bucks, Mont- 
gomery and Northampton counties. 

It was during his administrations at Indian Creek Re- 
formed church, he first met Barbara, daughter of Jacob 
and Barbara (Nyce) Leidy, to whom he was subsequently 
married — on April 18th, 1776 — just at the outbreak of 
the Revolutionary struggle. 

Rev. Casper Wack's great patriotism and sympathy for 
the Revolutionary cause did good service for the country 
by keeping his associates loyal and in active participation 
with the army, while the struggle for Independence was 
on. Some time during this period he became a resident 
of Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Penna. 

There are several incidents pertaining to the Revolution 
related of him, which show how he stood for the cause of 
his native land. It is said that during the war he was 
permitted on account of his character and pastoral duties 



The Leidy Family. 105 

and the general respect in which he was held, to pass the 
watch at pleasure. In this way the British became ac- 
quainted with the extraordinary fine horse which he was 
accustomed to ride, and schemed to steal it, which they 
did. He obtained permission to go in pursuit; but not 
succeeding, for some time, in getting trace of it, he heard, 
at length, that the Americans had taken the horse, among 
other spoils, from the British; after which he immediately 
turned back, and made no further inquiry in regard to the 
horse, but willingly left it in possession of those who were 
loyal and struggling for the freedom of their country and 
his. 

Another somewhat amusing anecdote, relating to the 
same period, is also preserved. Being a German he knew 
but little of the English language, in the early period of his 
ministry; although subsequently he became quite pro- 
ficient in that language. On one occasion during the 
Revolutionary war he was induced to preach in English 
near the American camp. An officer who understood no 
German, and supposing the services, as usual, to be in that 
language, nevertheless went to church. After service, the 
officer expressed himself, in the way of agreeable surprise, 
saying that he had understood nearly all of the sermon, 
and declared his intention of attending German service 
regularly thereafter. His friend then informed him that 
the Rev. Wack had not preached in German, but in 
English. 

Rev. Casper Wack was but seventeen years of age when 
he first preached regular sermons. He was but eighteen 
years old when he appeared at the Tohickon, Great 
Swamp and Indian Field charge, although he was not 
ordained a regular pastor until some time after. It is 
said of him that he was the first young minister of the 



106 The Leidy Family. 

Reformed church, who had been educated, licensed and 
ordained in the colony. He preached twenty-seven years 
in the German Reformed churches, of German Valley, 
Foxhill and Rockaway, in New Jersey. He then accepted 
a call to Germantown, Pennsylvania. This charge in- 
cluded the congregation of Whitemarsh, Montgomery 
County. Here he labored for twelve more years as pas- 
tor of these congregations. At the expiration of which 
he resigned the Germantown congregation and devoted his 
time solely, for a short period, to the Whitemarsh charge. 
After a while he accepted in connection with the White- 
marsh charge, a call to the Pikeland Reformed church, 
Chester County, Penna. ; making the trips to Pikeland 
from his Whitemarsh home on horseback, eighteen miles 
distant; although nearly eighty years of age. 

The last four or five years of his lifetime he resided 
with his son, Dr. Philip Wack, at Trappe, Montgomery 
County, Penna. Here he died on July 19th, 1839, aged 
eighty-seven years. His wife survived him. 

During Rev. Casper Wack's ministry in New Jersey he 
took up the study of the English language, in which, in 
the course of time, he became quite proficient, and there- 
after preached in the English, and German languages. It 
is said of him that he was an exceedingly pious man, of a 
kind disposition and very much liked by all who knew 
him. 

Another notable figure intermarried with the Leidy 
family, whose remains are interred in this quaint and 
picturesque burial place, is that of Rev. John Henry Ger- 
hart. This clergyman is still remembered by the older 
persons of this community. The parents of Rev. Gerhart 
were Peter and Christiana (Hunsberger) Gerhart. He 
was born in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, 



The Leidy Family. 107 

Penna., on December 23rd, 1782, and died on November 
nth, 1846. He married on June 5th, 18 13, Elizabeth 
Leidy, who was born on October 15th, 1788, and died on 
February 25th, 1870, she being a daughter of Jacob and 
Feronica (Schell) Leidy. Both are buried side by side 
in this family plot. 

At the age of twenty years John Henry Gerhard com- 
menced his theological studies with Rev. Samuel Helffen- 
stein, then of Philadelphia, with whom he remained about 
three years. He was a diligent student and made good 
progress. 

At the meeting of Synod, April 27th, 18 13, being then 
in the thirtieth year of his age, he presented himself for 
examination. His qualifications were found to be ade- 
quate, and he was accordingly licensed; the license 
was renewed to him from year to year, for three 
years, according to the requirement of the " Synodical 
Ordnung," till the meeting of Synod held at Easton, Pa., 
April 23rd, 18 15, when it was directed that he be or- 
dained. On the 27th of the same month he was ordained 
by his reverend instructor, Dr. Helffenstein, and the Rev. 
J. W. Dechant. 

In the fall of 181 1, while he was yet engaged in his 
studies, John Schell, Sr., of Schellsburg, came to Dr. 
Helffenstein, in Philadelphia, representing that congrega- 
tion, and if possible to procure a young man to minister 
to them. Previous to that time that region had been 
much afflicted with wandering itinerant pretenders. 
Young Gerhart at the time that he was licensed, also pre- 
sented to Synod the call from the Bedford charge, in Bed- 
ford county, which was approved by Synod and accepted 
by him. He took up his abode in the town of Bedford, 
which was the centre of his operations. Here there was 



io8 The Leidy Family. 

at that time a small old log church, owned jointly by the 
Reformed and Lutherans; but it had served its day, and 
was no longer fit to be used for a place of worship. He 
accordingly preached in the court-house for a number of 
years, until these congregations were able to erect a new 
house of worship. He was successful as a pastor in this 
field and succeeded in building a large and thrifty congre- 
gation. 

He also preached at Schellsburg and Friend's Cove, in 
small log churches, at regular intervals; visiting and 
preaching at Greenfield, Bob's Creek, Tannent's (Dun- 
ning's) Creek, Yellow Creek, Morrison's Cove, Cona- 
maugh, Dry Ridge, Cumberland, Maryland, and other 
remote places, at stated periods. 

Many of his preaching-places were only school houses 
when he began; though some of them grew into interest- 
ing congregations, which built convenient churches, under 
his ministry. When he began to preach in the Schellsburg 
church, the benches were nothing but logs laid across the 
floor, sitting upon which the worshipers were no doubt as 
devout, and their service as acceptable to Him who was 
born in a stable, as that which is offered from cushioned 
seats. 

Rev. Gerhart preached both in the English and German 
languages; mostly in German. After great success in 
the ministry at Bedford and still a young man, 
he removed with his family to his early home in 
Montgomery County. Here he engaged in farming, and* 
for awhile was pastor of the Hilltown Reformed congre- 
gation, and acted as a supply to numerous churches. 
Thus he continued until the time of his death, which 
was accidental and untimely; it was caused by a runaway 
horse. 



The Leidy Family. 109 

The Rev. Gerhart was not an eloquent speaker, 
but was a kind and an agreeable person who wielded 
a powerful influence over his congregation with mild- 
ness and love. Though but an ordinary speaker in the 
pulpit, he could wield his pen with tremendous power 
and effect. 

There are other notable characters interred in this old 
burial ground. If biographical sketches of these worthy 
and forgotten ones had been written by those familiar 
with their lives and character, other chapters of impor- 
tant history would have been preserved and perpetuated. 

The visit to this solemn and quiet burial place to-day, 
awakens new thoughts, bringing to us a new realiza- 
tion and makes us conscious that we will in time jour- 
ney the same course that all who lie interred here have 
travelled. As time has glided on this old burying ground 
has grown in dimensions, until it has become a good-sized 
plot, and all, or nearly all, space is occupied with the 
mortal remains of some dear one. So much has been the 
demand for room here for burials, that to meet these 
wants a new and larger ground was opened in recent years, 
on the opposite side of the road. 

Casting the eye over the old burial place, from a given 
point, much vacant space in the older portion of the 
grounds, seems apparently without graves. If you enter 
and examine more closely, you will find sunken mounds 
or graves which indicate that some one lies buried here. 
Without living friends, neglect, lack of care and the 
ravages of time have done their work, and what was at 
one time easily recognizable as places of sepulture are now 
only dimly seen. It seems but a question of limited time 
when more of these will be obliterated, and they and their 
occupants will be forevermore lost to this world. 



iio The Leidy Family. 

Some of the sunken graves remain poorly marked with 
common or field stones, tumbling out of their places and 
crumbling with age ; a few of these have crudely cut marks 
on them, which, still, by effort, can be deciphered — 
giving the initial, name, date, etc., of the occupant — all 
having their significance. But, from decay, soon many of 
these will be lost, as there is no one left to care for or 
replace them. What was, and is now, a plot, looked upon 
as sacred and with affection, to the on-coming generations, 
will be as barren to the eye and possessing as little interest 
as a naked field. 

In the older section of the yard, where most of the 
graves are marked by the rough field stones with imper- 
fectly carved inscriptions on them, there are still to be 
found some with dates as far back as 1763, and possibly 
earlier; these mark the first burials in this ground. Among 
the older stones are found — J. H. L., d. 178 1, Hana 
Lidi, 1778. Probably these are the graves of the immi- 
grant Leidy and his wife — founders of the family in 
America — whose descendants are spread all over this vast 
country of ours, and now number many thousands. 

The Leidys, as many of the older families who have 
seen seven, eight and nine generations in this country, have 
branched forth until their ramifications have become so 
numerous that they are no more traceable by the genealo- 
gist. The ancestor, Jacob Leidy, we have learned, came 
to the Colony of Pennsylvania, with his family, in 
1727, and were of the earliest pioneers of this locality. 
They were persecuted German Protestants, from the Pala- 
tinate, bordering on the river Rhine. They came as ref- 
ugees, seeking a tranquil home within the Colony and to 
worship in accordance with their accepted faith, without 
fear or molestation. As such, he and his family assisted 



The Leidy Family. 



ii i 



in the founding of the Indian Creek Reformed church, 
of which, we are told this day, this congregation — the 
Leidy church — is an offshoot. 

The early Leidys in particular were pious, thrifty and 
enterprising people. From natural tact and innate ability 
each successive generation thrived and prospered in this 
world's affairs; a number of them grew prominent and 
occupied advanced positions in life. Among the lineal 
descendants are found members who grew eminent in the 
scientific and professional world. Others have succeeded 
in different capacities; many have won for themselves an 
upright and honorable name and a valuable reputation, 
and have thus added their portion to the preservation and 
perpetuation of their patronymic in the annals of history. 




Ibistorp of %eifc\>'0 Cburcb 

of 

jfranconia Uownsbip 



JOSEPH PROCTOR 

Philadelphia, Pa. 



AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL PAPER 




LEIDY'S CHURCH. 

Before we continue the history of the church and grave- 
yard, it might be interesting to have some facts of the 
earlier conditions and life of this neighborhood and the 
Leidy family. Jacob Leidy, ^Br., who started the tannery 
here, had five sons — John, Abraham, George, Jacob and 
Samuel. Samuel followed the tanning business and 
farming. The church stands on what was part of his 
farm. George studied for the ministry, under his uncle, 
Rev. Casper Wack. John had an adjoining farm on the 
east; Jacob had an adjoining farm on the southwest; each 
farm containing 150 acres. Jacob's farm was nearly all 
timber land. It was part of a 700-acre tract of land com- 
monly known as the " seven hundred." It was located on 
Moyer's road better known hereabouts as the Cowpath. 
The road was laid out while this (Montgomery) was 
still Philadelphia County, but not opened properly. Be- 
ing crooked and running through a dense forest, cattle 
driven through it formed a path, and was hence named 
Cowpath road. Jacob Leidy cleared a portion of his 
lands, erected thereon a house, and then looked for a help- 
mate which he soon found in Miss Hannah Sellers, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Sellers, founder of Sellersville, about six 
miles above this place. Here Mr. Sellers conducted a 

ii5 



1 1 6 Leidy' s Church. 

hotel and store in one building, and the stages 
then running from Bethlehem to Philadelphia made 
their regular stops for dinner at this Inn. Sellers- 
ville then had three or four private dwellings, be- 
sides the hotel, and was considered quite a good-sized 
village. It also had a post-office, the only one for miles. 
Mrs. (Sellers) Leidy was brought from Sellersville 
{where she had a piano) to a real country home. She 
soon felt the inconvenience of her new home; if she now 
wanted a pound of sugar or a quart of molasses, it was 
quite a task to go six miles to Sellersville, the nearest place, 
for it, although it led to the parental home. Jacob Leidy 
and wife soon concluded to open a store at their home 
on yonder hill, which they did, and it was the only store 
within the radius of a number of miles for many years, 
and was in reality a typical country store. Business did 
not warrant the employment of a clerk, so if a customer 
called for a pound of sugar or anything else, and Mr. 
Leidy was out in the field ploughing, and Mrs. Leidy pre- 
paring her dough for baking bread, some one had to call 
Mr. Leidy from the field to wait on the customer. These 
are facts as related by Mrs. Leidy to the writer. In later 
years a hotel and store were started at Hatfield, then 
known as Zieber's hotel, on the Cowpath. 

First, we must remember, at that time, we had no rail- 
road in this locality (railroad was opened in 1856). 
Lansdale then had a few scattered farm houses; Hatfield 
two or three dwellings, besides the store and hotel; Souder- 
ton had several scattered farm-houses, and Henry Souder 
had a lumber yard — the stock he kept was replenished by 
teams hauling it from Delaware River, about twenty miles 
away; here was no store or post-office; except the lumber, 



Leidy's Church. 117 

no business of any kind. At Telford there were simply 
a few scattered farm-houses and no store or hotel; hence 
we see the progress the railroad has made in this section 
of the country. 

In the spring of 1854 we started the first Sunday-school 
at Leidy's Church, using the school-house and chapel 
which stood in the graveyard. This was the first Sun- 
day-school in this section of the country. The seed sown 
then is still bearing fruit and we pray that it may continue 
for ages to come. Soon after this there was a demand 
here for more religious services or preaching. To accom- 
plish this a church was needed. So the trustees of the 
burying ground and others formed an organization to 
build a union church, which was erected in 1858 on this 
tract of land, and was bought of Thomas Leidy, son of 
Samuel Leidy, Sr. The building cost twenty-six hundred 
dollars, not including labor and delivering of material, 
which was all done by neighbors and members of the 
church, and in which the writer took part, then 
but a young man. The building committee was Samuel 
Leidy, Sr., Josiah W. Leidy and Benjamin Cope. The 
corner-stone was laid in the spring of 1858 ; was dedicated 
in the fall, on which occasion the Rev. B. S. Schneck, 
D.D., preached the principal sermon, he being generally 
known as the long-legged D.D. Soon after this a church 
organization was affected by the Rev. P. S. Fisher, then 
pastor of the Tohickon charge, composed of Tohickon, 
Indian Creek and Trumbauresville churches. Rev. 
Fisher then supplied this church for a number of years 
in the afternoons, every three weeks. Soon after this a 
church was built at Sellersville, and one at Bridgeton, 
which were all in said Rev. Mr. Fisher's charge. It soon 



1 1 8 Leidy's Church. 

became apparent that he had a too laborious field for his 
declining years, and in 1865 Classis at its annual session 
divided his charge by taking Trumbauresville congregation 
therefrom, and placing it in connection with Quakertown. 
This caused no little commotion, as the three old churches 
had a parsonage in common and thought themselves in- 
separable; a joint consistory meeting was called by these 
three old congregations at their parsonage at Sellersville 
and in consequence the Rev. Mr. Fisher resigned. A 
special meeting of Classis was then called, and by its ac- 
tion Leidy's, Sellersville and Bridgeton churches were 
formed into a charge, and they unanimously elected Rev. 
P. S. Fisher as their pastor. He did good work here 
until his death in 1872. 

We were next supplied by Rev. W. R. Yerrick, who was 
then pastor of the Hilltown charge. In 1874 Rev. J. G. 
Dengler, then a student of Franklin and Marshall Col- 
lege, was elected pastor of this charge. He filled it very 
acceptably and successfully until 1892, during which time 
a church was erected at Souderton, and one at Perkasie, 
which he also supplied. This increased his labors, and 
seeing that he could not do justice to all of them in these 
growing towns, resigned Leidy's and Souderton, and had 
Sellersville, Perkasie and Bridgeton formed into a charge. 
We were next supplied for some years — until 1899 — by 
our present pastor, Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, who was then 
pastor of the Trumbauresville charge. At the next 
annual meeting of Classis a reconstruction of these 
churches was made, forming Leidy's, Indian Creek and 
Souderton into a charge. This charge elected the present 
pastor, Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, as their regular pastor; he 
is still with us and is doing good work among his people. 



Leidy's Church. 119 

The Lutherans started a church organization about the 
same time as the Reformed, under the pastorate of Rev. 
F. Berkemeyer, of Sellersville, who labored here success- 
fully for some years. His successor was Rev. J. Hillpot, 
since which time the congergation has been ably and very 
successfully supplied by their present pastor, Rev. D. H. 
Reiter, of Quakertown. Rev. Reiter has been pastor here 
now for over twenty years. 

We again revert to the graveyard. As stated, the 
chapel, school-house and play-ground were all within the 
bounds of the old graveyard, and as the demand grew for 
more ground for burial purposes, the old buildings were 
torn down to make more room, and the entire burial 
ground was then enclosed with a stone wall, the whole be- 
ing surrounded with public roads. As time progressed 
and membership increased this additional burial space was 
soon all occupied ; and again there was a demand for more 
rooms for burial purposes There being no other land 
contiguous to the old graveyard, shut off as it is by public 
roads on all sides, we were obliged to look elsewhere for 
ground. Thomas Leidy, the owner of the farm adjoin- 
ing the church — who had sold the land for the church — 
offered to sell one acre more of his land. This, together 
with a strip of meadow land lying between the church and 
the cemetery, was then bought in 1882, and a cemetery 
association was incorporated, with the following named 
persons as incorporators: Thomas Martin, Hatfield; 
John J. Myers, Telford; Josiah W. Leidy, Hilltown; 
Abraham Cope, Hilltown, Jonas G. Leidy, Franconia; 
Joseph Proctor, Hatfield; known as the "Leidy's Ceme- 
tery Association of Emmanuel Union Church," charter 
perpetual; object of charter, the purchase and maintenance 



120 



Leidy's Church. 



of suitable grounds, for all time, for burial purposes. 
The one acre bought has nearly all been disposed of, and 
the trustees very wisely, a few years ago, purchased 
another tract of two acres adjoining from Jonas Leidy, 
which can at any time, as needed, be included in the ceme- 
tery. 




agrees of Welcome 



REV. D. H. REITER 

Richland Center, Bucks County, Pa. 
Pastor of the Lutheran Congregation op Leidy's Church 




ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

Members and friends of the Historical Society of Mont- 
gomery County: 

The duty assigned to me on your program to welcome 
you into our midst and within the wall of our sacred 
church edifice is a very pleasant one indeed, and one which 
I shall cheerfully endeavor to perform. 

I, therefore, welcome you in the name of the citizens of 
Franconia Township ; a township by no means void of his- 
torical reminiscences. But I especially welcome you in 
the name of the members of the sister congregations who 
jointly own this building; and who worship here on alter- 
nate Sundays; namely the Evangelical Lutheran and the 
Reformed congregation. I might dwell upon the fact 
that in bidding you welcome in the name of these people; 
that I do so in the name of a people whose ancestors 
played a very important part in the early struggles and 
consequently in the early history of our country. I might 
speak of the Pennsylvania German or the German Ameri- 
cans, for these people are not confined to the boundary 
lines of the State of Pennsylvania. I might speak of the 
position of honor and trust occupied by them in Church 
and State, of their bravery on many a battle field and of 

123 



124 Address of Welcome. 

their industry, frugality, honesty and integrity in private 
life. I might mention some of their names, and in doing 
so I would have to mention some of the most honored, 
most beloved and most distinguished names on the pages 
of the history of our beloved country. 

Or I might speak of what was done by the two different 
denominations represented by the congregations worship- 
ping in this church, and I have no doubt I could easily con- 
vince you that they have stood shoulder to shoulder with 
other Christian forces, and to all of them combined is due 
a great deal of the privileges and blessings which we as a 
nation enjoy. 

But I shall neither speak of the one, nor of the other. 
I shall not welcome you in the name of the German Amer- 
icans but simply Americans. Let us therefore be not Irish 
Americans or Scotch-Irish Americans, or German Amer- 
icans or native Americans, or Americans with any other 
prefix, but simply Americans. The American people are 
as distinctly one people as any other on the face of the 
earth. 

They are of one blood not because they boast a common 
ancestry, not because they have become one blood by inter- 
marriage, but because those of German, English, French 
descent and descendants of all other nations have fought 
side by side for the same cause, under the same flag and 
the blood flowing from the fatal wounds has mingled, and 
thus the blood of all nations has become one blood, Ameri- 
can blood. It was when the same people wore a different 
uniform, the one the blue and the other the gray, when 
they fought for a different cause, the one for the destruc- 
tion and the other for the maintenance of the union, that 
our people became separated. And, although the struggle 
ended and peace was proclaimed in 1865, we were in more 



Address of Welcome. 125 

senses than one a separate people and were not again 
united until in the providence of God we were called upon 
again to wear the same uniform, take up common arms 
and under the stars and the stripes fight for that which 
our fathers fought, liberty. Yes, liberty, although not 
for ourselves; yet liberty for others. And thus again in 
the true sense we are not only a free, but a united people. 
A union more closely united than any formed by a com- 
mon ancestry or by mere kith or kin. 

Nor shall I welcome you in the name of Lutheran or 
Reformed Christians; but just as there is to be no prefix 
to our Americanism to-day so there shall be none to our 
Christianity. And I therefore welcome you as American 
Christians, in the name of Christian Americans. 

I welcome you because it affords us an opportunity to do 
you good, an opportunity to show you hospitality and thus 
to make friends of those we never met before. 

We welcome you especially bcause we know you will do 
us good; and that we will receive more than we are able 
to give. You have favored us more by deciding to hold 
your meeting in our midst, than we have favored you by 
granting you the use of our church. 

You will not only do us good in presenting to us the 
contents of your excellent program, but also, and espe- 
cially in awakening in us a taste for historical study. 

I am sure that the facts contained in the papers on local 
history will be supplemented by many as they gather at 
the fireside and discuss the papers presented at to-day's 
meeting. 

And if this meeting will give to us all an incentive for 
historical study; if it will stimulate all to search among 
the archives of the past and gather up the records so that 



126 Address of Welcome. 

nothing be lost, then indeed will it bear rich fruits and- 
happy results. 

We as a nation not only have a history; but we are 
daily making history, and only that people who is con- 
versant with the history of the past and thus enabled to 
note the successes and the failures of those who have 
gone before are able to build well for the future. Our 
forefathers laid a foundation that is broad and deep upon 
which our institutions are to rest; but they only commenced 
and by no means completed the structure. 

New problems and new questions continually arise 
which demand a solution, and to solve them so that they 
may add to the completeness and not mar the harmony of 
the structure, we need to study the past. 

The greatest question which confronts us to-day as a 
people is not the tariff question, not the financial question, 
nor the question of expansion. But the greatest and the 
most important question which confronts the American 
people to-day is Freedom, personal liberty and its neces- 
sary limitation. 

By nature and nationality all Americans love liberty. 
They are of that blood which Burke described as most 
adverse to all implicit submission of mind and opinion. 

We all believe with John Milton that no man can be 
at rest who has not liberty to serve God and save his own 
soul according to the best light, which God has planted in 
him for that purpose. 

We as a people entertain no doubt that liberty and pros- 
perity are inseparable. 

The history of civilization is the history of Liberty. 

The student of Liberty must trace the records of the 
highest nations and that in their most brilliant periods. 



Address of Welcome. 127 

Since the days of the Reformation the struggle for 
liberty has been the soul of history. 

Men, measures and influences are judged by their power 
of advancing it. 

Forms of government are good and bad as they stand 
related to it. 

Men not only enthuse over it, but sacrifice everything, 
even life itself, rather than lose it. 

That liberty is, all know, but what liberty is many have 
not yet learned. 

To make a government is one of the easiest things. It 
is but for one to command and for the others to obey and 
that is a monarchy. Where one rules. To give Freedom 
is also easy. It is only to relax control and let men do as 
they please and the result is no rule, no law, hence lawless- 
ness, Anarchy. 

But to make a free government is the most difficult 
achievement of the human mind. 

The unsolved problem which at this time so loudly calls 
for a solution is to unite, to marry laws and liberty. 

The real friends of freedom and those who so inter- 
weave law and liberty that they make one texture, and 
that every liberty being at once sustained and limited by 
some law, and every law finding its glory in securing some 
liberty. 

The real foes of liberty are those who oppose its just 
limitations. All of which results in license, lawlessness 
and finally Anarchy, of whose fruits assassination of the 
President so recently shocked our country. 

The nation was thus awakened to a new danger and the 
question on all sides was what is the remedy for Anarchy? 
What is the antidote for this poison? The question is 



128 



The Ancestral Home. 



best answered by asking what has thus far been its chief 
barrier to success. 

Johann Most, that blatant typical Anarchist, of New 
York, in addressing some of his followers in Chicago not 
long ago said: " In order to succeed in our cause we 
must destroy every altar; extinguish every religion; and 
tear down the God of heaven ; for only when men believe 
in God can they believe that one man has the right to 
govern another." In this he is right for the book of 
books says: " The powers that be are ordained of God." 

It is therefore evident that if Anarchy cannot succeed 
unless our churches are destroyed, that the best remedy to 
stay its progress, as well as to thoroughly root it out, is 
to build more churches so that we may become in deed as 
we are in name a Christian nation. To marry law and 
liberty we must first marry Christianity and patriotism 
and all become Christian patriots. As such and in the 
name of such I again bid you a hearty welcome. 




£be ancestral Ibome 



MISS ANNA T. HACKMAN 

Philadelphia, Pa. 



AN ORIGINAL POEM READ BY THE AUTHOR 

A Great-Great-Granddaughter of 

Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed 




THE ANCESTRAL HOME. 

The earth was filled with beauty — 
Beneath a golden sun, 
And the trees with fruitage laden, 
Told me summer was not done ; 

So, o'er the meads I wandered, 
Where dainty blossoms grow, 
I reached the quaint old homestead 
Round which soft breezes blow. 

And o'er its door-step, lightly 
I crossed the ancient floor, 
I meditated slowly, 
I scanned the dwelling o'er. 

And lo, the scene seemed changing, 
Fast fled the day to night, 
I saw faces of the children, 
Bathed in the soft fire-light. 



While 'round the huge old fire-place, 
Where burning embers lay — 
Were gathered friends and neighbors, 
To while the hours away. 

131 



132 The Ancestral Home. 

The picture is so perfect, 
No keenest artist's skill, 
Could e'er portray its beauty, 
That, lingering, haunts me still. 

Oh, view of transient glory, 
Sweet dream of fertile mind. 
Mine be the path so peaceful — 
Like lives so true and kind. 

The present 's lost in darkness, 
Back, back with flight of years, 
I sped the fleeting moment, 
With eyes suffused with tears. 

Seated in the old arm-chair, 
With a babe upon her knee, 
Was grand-dame, ag'd and feeble 
Yet happy as could be. 

Youth and age united, 
Reveal a glorious sight, 
Humming a tune to darling, 
She watch' d the flick'ring light. 

She smiled, her face illum'd, 
She heard her noble son, 
Earnestly repeating, 
The tales of battles won. 

Stirred by the voice of freedom 
He, valiant, left his home, 
With firm resolve to conquer, 
If fight he must alone. 

'Twas voice of man now speaking, 

Noble, valiant and true — 

For test of revolution 

Awaked him, through and through. 



The Ancestral Home. 



J 33 



He found a friend and leader 
In father Washington, 
And offer'd life in service, 
Be battle lost or won. 

And friends around the fire-side, 
Drew closer to his side, 
He told how dreaded Tories, 
By way -side oft would hide. 

Returning once from battle, 
On his most cherished steed, 
A deadly bullet grazed him ; 
A narrow call, indeed. 

'Twas fired by a Tory 
Who hidden in the way, 
Aimed with his deadly weapon 
To close the Colonel's day. 

But a Bower true and subtle, 
Led the warrior safely on, 
Smiling triumphant, humble — 
For the battle was not won. 

Then, how pursuing Britons 

Once at his cottage door — 

When asked, Who wished admission ? 

They answered, ; Friends of yore.' 

Lifting the door-latch, trusting 
To welcome hoped for guest ; 
Beheld in stead some Britons, 
His life in eager quest. 

But his, a manly nature, 
No time for doubts or fear, 
He bravely fought for country, 
His home and children dear. 




134 The Ancestral Home. 

So fiercely did he struggle, 
That his strong sword broke in two — 
And wounded " Wright " their leader ; 
Piercing his foot 'tis true. 

He barred his door more tightly, 
Breathing an humble prayer, 
That the God of his tender children, 
Would guide him everywhere. 

Then when gray dawn had deepened, 
To perfect, golden light, 
Were sent by our commander, 
Soldiers in search of " Wright." 

And noble, patriot warriors, 
Athirst for vengeance now — 
Sought, until they caught him 
And hung him to a bough. 

They left his form all lifeless, 
Upon that old oak tree — 
Again the Colonel conquered, 
In fight for liberty. 

The vision faded slowly, 
As embers die away, 
Till the departing shadow 
Melts to the dawn so gray. 

Years pass — again they enter ; 
Throngs — men and women too — 
Aside have cast their childhood, 
Behold them strong and true. 

A feeling now of wonder 
Overtakes me as I stand, 
Watching this merry party — 
United, glorious band. 



The Ancestral Home. 135 

They've come from various places, 
From homes both far and near — 
To 'waken tender memories, 
Of patriot parent dear. 

For in yon humble church-yard 
His body peaceful lies, 
Who true to place in duty, 
As orbs within the skies. 

They placed a kind memorial, 
Where his body buried lies, 
Which stands to mark the beauty, 
Of a faith that never dies. 

I saw this wondrous picture — 
I heard a plaintive voice, 
In tones almost entrancing, 
Bid my trembling heart rejoice. 

It bade the curtain lower ; 
Behold, it rent in twain — 
And now, I stook transported 
To an eminence most plain — 

Beneath us lay a city, 
Seeming a sea of light, 
With giant turrets tow'ring 
Far in the depth of night. 

Standing amazed, bewildered, 
Gazing on scene below — 
I asked, pray gentle leader, 
Dost thou this city know ? 

Why ringing of the church-bells ? 
Why merry sounding chime ? 
Why, when darkness veils the city, 
Doth lights so brilliant shine ? 



136 The Ancestral Home. 

' Well, child,' replied my leader, 
' Full a thousand years ago, 
Dwelt a man, who fought for freedom 
In that city there below.' 

There a dark stream rippled gently, 
And frogs chanted in morass, 
And tall pines murmured softly, 
To the field of waving grass. 

Stars, stars so silent passing, 
As we gaze upon the sky, 
Shone 'pon his humble home-stead, 
Where entered, you and I. 

" Behold " — yon glowing archway 
Marks the spot where once it stood, 
And those vast palatial dwellings 
Stand where a dreaming wood. 

They have gathered in the city, 
To give tribute to his name, 
Who in life uplifted freedom, 
Caring not for self or fame. 

And they toll the bell in honor, 
Of a patriot strong and brave, 
As they gather in the city, 
And their gorgeous banners wave. 

Thus I understood the meaning, 
Of this wonderful display, 
And again the picture faded, 
Faded tenderly away. 

Then I called unto my leader, 
Wilt thou tell to me thy name, 
Who hast shown to me these visions 
Through the avenues of fame ? 



The Ancestral Home. 



137 



'Yes,' my name is Magdalena, 
Wife of Colonel Jacob Reed ; 
Who on Earth was ever active 
In his country's deepest need. 




private Burning (Brounfcs 

of 

jfranconia Uownsbtp 



JOHN D. SOUDER 

Franconia Township, Montgomery Co., Pa. 




FRANCONIA BURYING GROUNDS. 

1-SITE OF FORMER FUHRMAN'S BURYING GROUND. 
2— LEIDY CEMETERY. 




PRIVATE BURYING GROUNDS. 

In the early times it was customary among the leading 
families to bury the dead on the farm, on a spot set aside 
for this purpose. In the course of time neighbors brought 
their dead for burial to these private grounds. A few of 
these graveyards are still maintained in this township; 
others are neglected and overgrown with brambles and 
bushes, and some have relapsed into their former uses as 
fields for farming, and now all traces of them are lost. 

The private burying grounds of Franconia that have 
been in existence and maintained to the present day, are 
Delp's, Harley's and Fuhrman's. One on the farm 
formerly owned by Henry Mussleman and another on the 
former farm owned by William Souder have entirely dis- 
appeared — the plough has removed all trace of them. 

Delp's burying ground located in the northwestern part 
of the township is beyond doubt the oldest. It is here 
that Christian Funk, son of Heinrich Funk, is buried. 
Henry Funk emigrated to America and settled at Indian 
Creek in 17 19. They were the first settlers in this sec- 
tion. It is said they lived several years alone in this town- 
ship. They were prominent and well-educated people; 
Heinrich, Christian and Jacob were preachers in the Men- 
nonite church, and organized the Franconia and Salford 

141 



142 Private Burying Grounds. 

congregations. They also built the first mill on the banks 
of the Indian Creek. It is now owned by John Clemens 
and known as the " Clemens' " mill. 

It was this Heinrich Funk with Dillman Kolb who was 
appointed by the Mennonite Church, to supervise the 
translation from Dutch to German and cause to be printed 
VanBracht's " Martyr Mirror," a folio of 1,514 pages, at 
Ephrata, Lancaster County, and it was the largest work of 
its character printed in this country during the colonial 
period. I make mention of this to show that many of 
those buried in the neighborhood were men of ability and 
learning, and who lived and died here under adverse cir- 
cumstances and at a time when it tried men's souls and 
consciences. 

On the head stones marking graves in Delp's burial 
ground we find these family names : Yoder, Moyer, 
Kratz, Booz, Landis, Funk, Delp, Kline, Godshall, 
Cassell and others; quite a few are recent burials. 
In 1 8 1 1 there was a split from the introduction of a schism 
in the Mennonite Church and a portion withdrew known 
as " Herrites." These erected for themselves a small 
one-story stone meeting house, located near this graveyard, 
which necessarily helped to increase the burials at this 
place. By 1850 the Herrites were so reduced in member- 
ship that thereafter the church building erected by them 
was used as a school-house. This old graveyard is cer- 
tainly an object of interest. It is about one-half acre in 
size, and enclosed with a substantial fence; the graves and 
yard are well kept to the present day, which has been a 
credit to the succeeding generations for this manifestation 
of interest in this sacred spot — the last resting place of 
their forefathers. 



Private Burying Grounds. 143 

Harley's burying grounds, located in the southwestern 
part of the township, near the Souderton and Harleysville 
turnpike, was commenced by Rudolph Harley, in 1746. 
In this sacred spot we find the names of Harley, Reiff, 
Kline, Young, Heckler, Price, Markley, Moyer, Kurtz, 
Freed, Walter, Kindig, Hartman, Frederick, Sheuck, 
Landis, Stauffer, Schissler and others. 

On a recent visit we copied the following: M. H., 
1743; A. H., 1757; H. K., 1783; B. H., 1791; A. H., 
1794; I. O. H., 1793; I. H., 1795; H. S., 1794; N. S., 
1783; A. S., 1802. Among the aged buried here are, 
Jacob Stauffer, 76 years; Jacob Stauffer, 81 years; John 
S. Harley, 79 years; Samuel Harley, 81 years; Samuel 
Harley, 82 years; Samuel Johnson, 81 years. The grave- 
yard is not large, but by its appearance it seems as if many 
have been buried here. The tombstones are of various 
sizes, many bearing no inscriptions at all. There is about 
an acre of ground in the enclosure, surrounded by a sub- 
stantial fence. Trees of oak, hickory and sassafras of 
large size have grown up in the yard, all of which appear 
to be old. In 1843 tne Dunkers built a frame structure 
in this graveyard for church purposes, in which they 
worshipped at intervals ever since, and it is from this in- 
terest that this graveyard has been kept in such excellent 
order and state of preservation. 

Fuhrman's graveyard is the largest of the kind in the 
township, and I am sorry to record its unfortunate fate. 
It is located on the farm formerly owned by Henry D. 
Wile, now owned by F. K. Bergey, and its location is but 
several paces southwest of the Indian Creek Reformed 
church. Interments have been made here as early as 1730 
and it was used for this purpose as late as 1790. It is esti- 
mated that during this period from one hundred and fifty 



144 Private Burying Grounds. 

to two hundred bodies were buried here. The headstones 
were common field stones, and quite a number had names, 
initials and dates on them. On our visit in 1880 we 
copied the following: " In memory of George Ludwig 
Hange, died October 26th, 1769; aged 73 years." The 
rest of the stones having initials and dates only, as, I. H. 
T„ 1766; S. B. H., 1747; C. H. T., 1790; I. F. M., 
1763; A. D., 1758; E. H., 1788; M. L., 1754; F. M., 
1760; K. M., 1750. The remaining stones that had 
marks or inscriptions on them were not plain enough to 
be read — these were blurred and crumbled with rust and 
age. 

The farm on which this unfortunate graveyard was 
located has since changed hands, and year after year, the 
plowman has been encroaching further and further, until 
now it has almost disappeared. In 1880, when I copied 
the foregoing inscriptions, I predicted it would not be long 
hence when this entire graveyard would be under cultiva- 
tion, and I am here to-day, sadly to say, to verify my 
prophecy. It was on a recent visit to this spot for the final 
preparation of this paper for this occasion I learned that 
all of the headstones had gone and the existence of the 
place can scarcely be found. I was told that some of the 
headstones had gone to the wash gullies and are now 
covered over with earth which some day might again be 
revealed, as mementoes of by-gone days. The fate of this 
graveyard teaches us a humiliating lesson of what human 
avarice will do. Had it not been the last resting place of 
our beloved forefathers — the pioneers of our township — 
this desecration of the sancity of these graves would not 
now be so appealing to our and their kindred's hearts. 

Twenty years ago when I visited this burial ground and 
noticing the rapid approach of dissolution of this sacred 



Private Burying Grounds. 145 

place, a feeling of sadness overcame me at its dreadful 
condition, and I dedicated these lines with sorrow and re- 
gret : 

Along the lonely Indian Creek 

My wandering footsteps led, 

The moss was thick beneath my feet, 

The winds moaned o'er my head. 

Traces of an old grave yard 

Was still plainly to be seen, 

The remains of many weary pilgrim 

Lie here in peace, I ween. 

The bramble bush and the weed 
Grew thickly o'er the mound, 
The head and footstone with age 
Had crumbled to the ground. 
No fragrant flower planted here ; 
No loved ones know more the place ; 
Nor marble slabs or granite rare 
These lonely mounds do grace. 

I raised a headstone ; it broke with age ; 
This vision to me did appear — 
They are — the settlers ot our land, 
Known as " Franconia's Pioneer." 
All rest was blurred — rust and age 
For many years here has held her sway ; 
Their fame though on history's page 
Remains, and will not fade away. 

Flow on, proud Indian Creek, flow on, 
Through thy picturesque rocky glen ; 
Above thee in shadows alone 
Sleep brave and undaunted men. 
No brutal foes, nor bloody wars, 
Our Christian people now do fear, 
For thou hast our pathway smoothed — 
Thou noble " Franconia Pioneer." 



146 Private Burying Grounds. 

At that time this spot was thickly covered with trees 
•"and undergrowths. It was located some distance from a 
public road, and to reach it meant a long walk across cul- 
tivated fields. The burial ground was on an elevation, 
affording a magnificent view of the surrounding country, 
with the picturesque Indian Creek and its beautiful valley 
at its foot. 

In these private burying grounds of Franconia Town- 
ship the bodies of hundreds of pioneer Christian settlers 
are resting, and some of these now, for the want of care, 
have entirely disappeared beyond all knowledge and 
vestige. 

These early settlers, it is said, fled from their native 
country on account of religious persecution. They came 
to America, the asylum of the oppressed and persecuted. 
Nothing we revere more, associated with the early history 
of our country, than the fact of our progenitors immigrat- 
ing to America where they could without fear or molesta- 
tion enjoy the right to worship God according to their 
accepted belief. For this privilege and liberty they fled 
their native country, leaving friends and family ties be- 
hind, to cross the wide ocean and endure its hardships, 
dwell in a land without civilization and inhabitated by 
savages and wild beasts. Can it now be that the succeed- 
ing generations are so rude and thoughtless as to lay waste 
the silent and sacred tombs of these beloved ones? I feel 
it a sense of duty, and so should every liberty-loving in- 
dividual, that these last resting places be preserved as a 
perpetual regard and respect to our forefathers. 

The Good Book says: " Remove ye not the old land- 
marks." To-day we come together and say, Remove ye 
not the grave marks of our forefathers; but mark them, 
preserve them, and maintain them." 



Private Burying Grounds. 147 

We may here appropriately quote the lines of Thomas 
Gray : 

Beneath these rugged elms, that yew tree's shade, 
Where heaves the turf in many a moultering heap, 
Each in his narrow cell forever laid, 
The rude forefathers of the country sleep. 

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid 
Some heart once pregnant with celestial tire ; 
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, 
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre. 

Yet even these bones from insult to protect, 

Some frail memorial, still erected nigh, 

With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked, 

Implore the passing tribute of a sigh. 

There names, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse , 
The place of fame and eulogy supply, 
And many a holy text around he strews, 
To teach the rustic moralist to die. 

For thee, who, mindful of the honored dead, 
Dost in these lines their artless tale relate, 
If chance, by lonely contemplation led, 
Some kindred spirit shall inquire, thy fate. 




Unfcian Creek IReformefc Cburcb 

of 

jfranconia Gownsbip 



Dr. W. H. REED 

Norristown, Pa. 



HISTORICAL AND OTHER INTERESTING DATA 




THE INDIAN CREEK REFORMED CHURCH. 

This is one of the oldest congregations of the Reformed 
Church in this section of the country. It dates its begin- 
ning or organization some time previous to 1746. The 
earliest authentic record of a church building here, is in an 
extract from Rev. Michael Schlatter's Journal, dated 
October the 20th, 1746, in which he says: " I continued 
my journey thirteen miles farther (from Goshenhoppen) , 
to Indian Field or Indian Creek. Here I preached with 
much satisfaction in a new wooden church." 1 

The first land-purchase recorded was made by this con- 
gregation in 1755 ; according to the recital of the deed, on 
April 24th, 1755, Michael Berria (Bergey) a member of 
the Indian Creek Reformed Church, conveyed his prop- 
erty on which the church building stood (and was 
formerly part of), in Franconia Township, to Christian 
Souder, a German Mennonite. To establish the right of 
possession to the congregation of the Indian Creek Re- 
formed Church of the land already occupied by them, he, 
(Bergey) , three days before he deeded the farm to Souder 
(April 21st, 1755), conveyed to the Indian Creek Re- 
formed church three quarters of an acre of land with the 
" appurtenances and buildings." 

1 "Schlatter's Life and Travels," by Harbangh, p. 141. 

151 



152 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

This was the formation or first acquisition of the magni- 
ficent and valuable property which this congregation now 
owns and enjoys. The location of the original property 
of the congregation is in Franconia Township, Mont- 
gomery County, Pennsylvania, about a mile west of the 
present borough of Telford. 

The earliest Records of this congregation, if there were 
any, are, at this day, lost; thereby the exact date of its 
organization cannot with certainty be ascertained. The 
fact remains that the congregation was organized simul- 
taneously with the early settlement of this part of the 
county by the Germans — this ingress commenced at an 
earlier date than 1730. Naturally, from the sparse set- 
tlement of this neighborhood in the beginning the congre- 
gation was small, and the members met, for convenience, 
in nearby houses and barns of their brethren. As the 
congregation grew in numbers and means (which was not 
until about 1745), they were able to erect a small frame 
church building to serve their first pressing wants. 

Previous to 1755 — the date of conveyance of land by 
Michael Bergey to this congregation — the church occupied 
the site on suffrage. The price paid for the land at the 
time of its purchase was simply nominal — " One pound 
current Money of Pennsylvania, * * * under the Pro- 
portionate part of the Yearly Quit Rent accruing for the 
said Lot of Land." The deed, further on, recites the in- 
tended use and purpose of said land: " For the Use and 
Benefit of the Society of People called the Reformers or 
Dutch Presbyterian Congregation Meeting, to Worship at 
the said place, and residing near the Same and Convenient 
to meet at the said Place, for Meeting Houses, School 
Houses, Burying Places or any other public uses as the 
said Society of the People shall at all times hereafter think 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 



153 



proper, and to and for no other Use, Intent and Pur- 



»] 



pose 

In the foundation of the front of the present church 
building, about eighteen inches above the ground, are 
found two mural tablets of stone, which are supposed to 
have been placed in the remodeled building erected in 
1754, and the names inscribed upon them are probably 
those of the officers and builders. They are of brown 
stone, quaint in character, and carved thus: 



( 

U 



-\ 



A 1 

Vbz 



Jacob 
Arndt 



is 



r 



r" ^ 



cs 



! 7i 



■^ 



TOHN I ^ J 
NEIS \ 5A J *\ 

-=ss 



( 



Jacob Reis. 
Michael Birge. 
Peter Gerhart. 
Johannes Scheeeberger. 



Philip Heinrich SEEER' 
Jacob Leite. 
Wilem Aethaus. 
A br am Arndt. 



J 



The above named building committee were all residents, 
at this time, of Franconia Township, probably with one 
or two exceptions. All were prominent in the affairs of 
this locality, and most of them still have numerous 
descendents here, as well as wide-spread throughout our 
vast country. Jacob Riess was at this time pastor of this 
church. Michael Bergey was a farmer, and at the time 
owned the lands upon which the church stood. Peter Ger- 
hart, Abraham Arndt, John Schellenberger, Philip Henry 

•In Philadelphia, Deed Book, H. 12, p. 213. 



154 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

Sailor and William Althouse were also farmers, and their 
names are still prevalent here, with the exception of Arndt 
and Sailor, which seem to have entirely disappeared. 
Jacob Arndt, John Nyce, Jacob Leidy and Peter Gerhard 
composed the Board of Trustees. 

At this time — 1754 — Jacob Arndt was a resident of 
Rockhill Township, Bucks County. His plantation was 
located but a short distance beyond the county line, and 
nearby this church. He, earlier in life, was connected 
with the Skippack (Wentz's) Reformed Church, and it 
was not until after his removal into Bucks County that he 
associated himself with the Indian Creek Reformed 
Church, which was located nearer to his new home. He 
was also prominent in general affairs, and assumed a con- 
spicuous part in the French and Indian War, first engag- 
ing in the provincial service as captain, and subsequently 
promoted to major. In 1760 he removed with his family 
to Northampton County, in the neighborhood of Easton, 
where he and his family became prominently identified 
with the affairs of the county, its early history and its 
development. 

Jacob Leidy, of the building committee and an early 
trustee, at this time (1754) resided (by deed) in Fran- 
conia Township. It is supposed that for a considerable 
time he owned land and resided in Hilltown Township, 
Bucks County. He is the progenitor of the " Leidy " 
family, of whom and his descendents we learn more in 
another paper, the " Leidy Family," found elsewhere in 
this volume. It was his daughter, Magdalena Leidy, who 
was married to Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Reed in 1755. 
This son-in-law, about the time of his marriage, became 
a resident of Hatfield Township and member of the In- 
dian Creek Reformed congregation, and soon prominently 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 155 

identified himself with the work of the church and its early 
affairs and history. 

Abraham Arndt, another member of the building com- 
mittee, a brother of Jacob Arndt, was a cordwainer by 
trade and at this time resided in and owned land in Fran- 
conia Township. His wife was Catharine Reed, a daugh- 
ter of John Philip and Fronica (Bergey) Reed, of Marl- 
borough Township, this county. She was a sister of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Jacob Reed. Abraham Arndt, in 1768, 
sold his farm in Franconia and removed with his family 
to William's Township, Northampton County, Pennsyl- 
vania. This removal caused him and his family to sever 
their connection with the Indian Creek Reformed con- 
gregation, and to associate themselves with a Reformed 
church, within the limit of their new home, near the town 
of Easton, in said county. 

In 1754 — the date of enlargement of the first church 
building — the Indian Creek congregation commences its 
first recorded history extant. The first building was small 
and insufficiently served its purpose, but was commensurate 
with the means and facilities of the congregation, and was 
such as the early pioneers builded for school and church 
purposes. Even the new structure erected in 1754, it is 
said, was very plain and primitive, and was without a floor 
or stove. It was humble in appearance and its furnishings 
were meagre; there was no pride and ostentation here, and 
under the circumstance was made to serve its purpose well; 
it was truly a spiritual home — a home where this small 
band of consistent Christians would gather together with 
reverence and humiliation and worship their God accord- 
ing to the forms and usages of their faith. 

To enjoy this privilege and religious freedom, even 
under these adverse circumstances, was to them a comfort 



156 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

and spiritual blessing. Many were foreigners by birth, 
who from religious intolerance or the ravages of war fled 
the country of their birth, leaving behind relatives, friends 
and worldly possessions; braved the turbulent seas, settled 
a new country, built homes in the forests, tilled the virgin 
soil, ofttimes with naught but the Indian and wild beast 
as neighbor and foe. Many were the trials and sacrifices 
of our ancestors who elaborated so wonderfully, and who 
out of chaos shaped and coursed the destiny of this great 
country, laid the foundations of our glorious heritage, and 
blazed the way to the liberty of speech and worship we 
enjoy to-day. 

The first building erected by this band of Christians of 
the Indian Creek Reformed Church, we have learned, 
from its beginning served a two-fold purpose, to hold 
religious service and school. Rev. Michael Schlatter in 
his unpublished diary records during a visit to these people, 
that "On October 10th, 1746, he met John William 
Straub at Indian Creek and that he preached there every 
three weeks. Straub then promised Rev. Schlatter not to 
perform ministerial acts any more, but only to preach and 
read sermons until they had a regular minister. He thus 
hoped to get aid from Holland as a parochial school- 
teacher, for which Schlatter says he was well fitted." 1 

This (Rev.) John William Straub was a foreigner, 
who landed in this country, at Philadephia, and qualified 
on September 21st, 1732. He was by occupation a linen 
weaver, became a school-master, and afterward undertook 
the functions of a minister, though not ordained. He had 
formerly been a school-master at Cornau in the Palatinate. 
The presumption is that in connection with church work 

1 Good's " History of the Reformed Church in the United States," p. 
253- 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 157 

at Indian Creek at this time he also had charge of the 
school. 1 

In Rev. Michael Schlatter's report of the proceedings 
of the first meeting of Coetus, at Philadelphia, on Thurs- 
day, October 1st, 1747 (fifth session), he says: "I 
made a report of what I had done on behalf of the 
brethren of the faith in Pennsylvania since the month 
of March to the present time, as follows: (inter alia) 
" Several letters were read from, * * * ' School-master 
at Indian Field' (Indian Creek)." This school-master 
— his name not given — in all probabilities was the above 
named (Rev.) John William Straub. 

The first regular, installed pastor of the Indian Creek 
Reformed Church recorded was Rev. Jacob Riess. He 
came to this charge from Tohickon congregation, it is 
said, in 1749. At this time he was a middle-aged man; 
and at first it appears he was not regularly installed. On 
the title page of the old Record book of this congregation, 
the following inscription is found: "The Church Book 
of the German Reformed congregation of Indian Creek, 
wherein is written the names of children, of which I, Jacob 
Riess, have baptized from June 3d, 1753." In the 
Record here (Indian Creek) entries are made which show 
that he, also, at this time ministered to the Reformed 
people at Lower Saucon. Quite a number of baptisms are 
recorded as from that place. 2 

Under the pastoral care of Rev. Jacob Riess the con- 
gregation at first, apparently, grew and prospered, as, in 
1754 an enlargement of the wooden building was neces- 

1 " Minutes and Letters of the Coetus of the Reformed Church of Penn- 
sylvania," p. 35. 

2 "Brief History of the Indian Creek Reformed Church," by Rev. 
Jacob Keim. 



158 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

sary. His name was at that time inscribed on the date 
stone, marking him as one of the building committee. He 
remained here until about 1766; when his name disappears 
from the record. This entry is found on the New 
Goshenhoppen record : 

" Church book of the Reformed congregation at New 
Goshenhoppen, from the year in which pastor Weiss died. 
All the young children who were baptized from that time 
until the year 1766, by me — Jacob Riess, Leydich and 
Michael." 1 

In the proceedings of Coetus in 1765 we find this 
record: "Goshenhoppen, about which your Reverences 
inquire, has taken an old ordinary man, a shoemaker 
(Jacob Riess) for its minister, because we could not at 
once provide the members with some one to their satis- 
faction." 2 The following year it was further reported 
before this ecclesiastical body, " That Old and New 
Goshenhoppen, as well as Great Swamp, have dismissed 
their shoemaker, Riess by name." 3 After his departure 
from the New Goshenhoppen charge, he, in all probability 
returned to the neighborhood of his early charge — To- 
hickon, as his remains are interred there in the old ceme- 
tery of the Reformed church. He was born April 10th, 
1706, and died April 23d, 1774. 4 

1 " A Monograph of the New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp 
Charge," by C. Z. Weiser, D.D., p. 58. 

2 " Minutes of Coetus," p. 235. •. 

3 " Minutes of Coetus," p. 243. 

* It appears that considerate interest in the welfare of the Indian 
Creek Reformed Church by Rev. Jacob Riess never abated, even after the 
dissolution of his pastoral relationship, in 1766. For, at the time of his 
death among his beneficaries was this congregation to the amount of ^"io, 
and this money was left for a specific purpose, which the " Account 
Book " kept by the officers of said congregation at the time, thus desig- 
nates : 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 159 

In the same year (1766), in which the name of Rev. 
Jacob Riess disappears from the Church Record at Indian 
Creek entries are made therein by Rev. Christopher 
Gobrecht. " John Christopher Gobrecht was born at 
Angerstein, near Goettingen, Germany, October nth, 
1733. He was a weaver by trade, and came to Phila- 
delphia in 1755. He qualified with his father September 
nth, 1753. After being in this country for ten years he 
was led by the Holy Spirit to study for the ministry. He 
studied two years under the Reformed minister, Alsentz. 
He was examined and ordained in the Tohickon church, 
says Harbaugh, on September 28th, 1766, and took 
charge of the Tohickon, Indian Field and Trumbauers- 
ville congregations." 1 

In the Minutes of Coetus, on September 3d, 1766, we 
find this record: " There is a congregation (Tohickon) 
much ruined by an adventurer. The good element had to 
withdraw, and the other part learned at last their mistake. 
These people come and desire aid from Coetus and a regu- 
lar minister. They cannot raise more than thirty pounds, 
and to unite the congregation with another is impractic- 

" December 25, 1774, the legacy from Mr. (Rev.) Jacob Riess is re- 
ceived and now in the hands of Abraham Gerhardt ; the interest to be 
used only, to instruct the poor children of this congregation in the Re- 
formed doctrine." 

Following, in this " Account Book "at a later date, a disposition of 
this fund is recorded : " December 29, 1791, we the Trustees, Michael 
Sholl and Abraham Gerhard, both of the Indian Creek congregation, 
have taken the above money (^"io) to pay for the ground, which they 
have bought for the school house, with the promise if there ever should 
be poor children in our congregation and would need the interest of this 
money for their instruction, then money shall be taken from the sinking 
fund (of the church), necessary for this purpose." 

This was approved and signed by the elders : Jacob Riedt, George 
Sholl, Johannes Althous, Jacob Leidy. 

food's " History of the Reformed Church," p. 567. 



160 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

able, because it is located quite out of the way, and the 
nearest congregation is still under the influence of an ad- 
venturer. We cannot call a minister, because the salary 
is too small; but there is a person (John C. Gobrecht) 
converted by God's Spirit, who has a good knowledge of 
theoretical and practical theology, is able to explain the 
principles of Holy Scripture, and is well qualified to build 
up a congregation through his example and preaching. 
He lived two years with a minister (J. G. Alsentz) in 
order to be better qualified. The said congregation hears 
this man, sees the difference between a sincere and well- 
instructed man and an adventurer. The congregation 
wants to call that person. He wishes to accommodate 
them, but not without order of Coetus. They appear be- 
fore Coetus with the request to examine and ordain him. 
To send him to Holland is impossible; the candidate 
dreads the sea voyage; the congregation cannot wait so 
long, since the adventurer, who resides in the vicinity, still 
has and seeks adherents in the congregation, by which 
course new confusion and division would certainly arise." 1 
Rev. Gobrecht was a single man, and took up his resi- 
dence at Tohickon. For a time be was well liked in this, 
his first charge. In the Tohickon church, in due time, 
some dissatisfaction arose in the administration of his 
office, which displeased him, and receiving a call from a 
charge elsewhere, he desired to withdraw. He later 
changed his mind and decided to stay. He remained at 
this charge for four years. 2 He then received a call from 

1 " Minutes of Coetus," p. 245. 

'The following is a list of contributing members of the congregation of 
•the Indian Creek Reformed Church during Rev. Gobrecht's pastorate, 
dated May 25, 1768, giving the amounts they pledged for its support. 
The Record Book from which these are copied is inscribed " Account Book 
of the Indian Creek Church, Anno Christi, 1768." The names arc re- 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 



161 



Muddy Creek charge, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 
He died in Hanover, Pa., November 6th, 1815, in the 
eighty-seventh year of his age. His remains are interred 
in the cemetery attached to the Reformed church, at Han- 
over. It was during his ministry at Indian Creek that 
this congregation, in conjunction with Tohickon and 
Trumbauersville congregation was constituted a charge, 
and remained in such relations until 1870, a period of over 
one hundred years. 

corded in the book in broken German, and they are copied therefrom 
letter for letter. 



Johannes Shelleberger 
Jacob Riedt 
Christian Benner 
Phillip Hinrich Seller 
William Althauss 
Georig Diemer 
Joseph Shieb 
Abraham Shreiner 
Adam Sheib 
Jacob Hange 
Fridrich Zollner 
Johannos Folmer 
Jacob Wagener 
Ludwig Fluck 
Dieder Rudi 
Abraham Gerhart 
Dafiet Brunner 
Lenert Seller 
Willhelm Linck 
Johannes Sperri 
Johannos Dellgart 
Peter Glinck 
Henrich Dietz 
Nicklaus Fisher 
William Zerckel 
Jacob Sorver 
Michael Herztel 
Christian Comfourd 
Abraham Kob 
Paul Seller 
Catrina Hengen 
Jacob Leidi 



£ 
1 


S 
IO 


d 




1 


O 








15 








15 


1 





15 








7 


6 





7 


6 





15 








i.S 





* 


* 


* 


■H- 


* 


* 


O 


7 


6 


O 


4 





O 


5 





O 


7 


6 


O 


5 





O 


9 





O 


5 





O 


5 





O 


3 





O 


4 





O 


2 


6 


O 


2 


6 


O 


5 





O 


6 





O 


4 





O 


5 





O 


4 





O 


7 


6 


O 


,S 





O 


6 





O 


15 






Jacob Leidi 
Carl Leidi 
Abraham Arnd 
Henrich Hertzel 
Michol Sholl 
Jacob Abenseller 
Vallentin Ulrich 
Henrich Reess 
Samuel Brod 
Jacob Allamang (?) 
Johannos Benner 
Conrad Leide 
Phillip Stang 
Gorg Moyer 
Margerta Karchin 
Jacobbiuem Leidisin 
Johannes Fer 
Johannes Hornnecker 
Michael Sheyb 
Tomas Zeiner 
Elisabet Gerhartin 
Sallaman Kuckstul 
Friethrich Reutie 
Einrich Nunenmacher 
Anton Kressmann 
Conrad Seibel 
Tederich Bielger 
Jacob Klein 
Michael Gumm 
Johan Ernst, Herr 
Johannos Riestert (?) 



£ 


s 


1 


10 


1 








15 


1 








IO 





3 





10 


1 








* 


# 


* 


1 








3 


1 








10 





2 





2 





3 





5 





3 





4 





15 





10 





5 





3 





7 





4 





4 





5 





5 





7 





10 



* Amount obliterated. 
12 



1 62 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

After the departure of Pastor Gobrecht from Indian 
Creek, for awhile the congregation was without a regular 
minister. In the Minutes of Coetus of 177 1 we find this 
record: "His (Gobrecht's) congregations (Indian Creek 
charge), which were vacant from that time (after the de- 
parture of Rev. Gobrecht), this year called Mr. Wack. 
Concerning Mr. Wack the Reverend Fathers were given a 
short statement in last year's minutes, namely, that he had 
been under the instruction of Mr. Weyberg. He is now 
far enough advanced through his training to be able to 
serve a congregation. The congregations at Lower 
Tohickon and Indian Field which have thus far been cared 
for by his ministry, and according to their statement, have 
also been edified by his preaching, have shown such a de- 
sire for him as to give him an unanimous call. Mr. Wack 
was therefore first examined in the divine truths and the 
way of salvation, and, after he had given satisfaction to 
the Reverened Coetus, it was resolved that Mr. Wack, for 
the time being, should continue to serve these congrega- 
tions with preaching and catechizing as before, but we will 
defer the ordination until the Reverend Fathers have first 
been notified." 1 

In April, 1772, Casper Wack was ordained to the work 
of the ministry and thus became the third regularly or- 
dained pastor of this (Indian Creek) congregation. He 
was a successful pastor at the Indian Creek church. This 
congregation grew rapidly in membership under his care 
and direction, and was rapidly outgrowing the present 
building; so much so, that to meet these increased demands 
a movement was inaugurated now by the congregation 
for a new and larger building. It was in 1775 — the 
beginning of the American Revolution — that the second 

2 "Minutes of Coetus," p. 315. 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 163 

church edifice, under Pastor Wack's direction, was erected 
and completed. This new church building, more com- 
modious in size, was built of stone, covered with a hip 
roof, and served the congregation for more than a half 
century. 1 

Rev. Wack's charge consisted of the Indian Creek, 
Tohickon and Trumbauersville churches. About this 
time (1772), jealousies arose in the charge between the 
congregations; Indian Creek and Tohickon desired to 
monopolize the good office of Rev. Wack, thereby shut- 
ting his ministration out from the Trumbauersville con- 
gregation. The Coetus was appealed to by the congre- 
gation at Trumbauersville, and as an outcome Coetus 
passed the following resolution, at its meeting, in 1772: 
" Resolved, That as had been done before by Do. 
Gobrecht, so now the congregations at Tohickon and In- 
dian Field (Indian Creek) shall be served by Do. Wack, 
together with the Trumbauer congregation." 2 

Reverend Casper Wack was a very young man when he 
came to this charge. It is said of him that he was the 
first minister of the Reformed Church that was born, edu- 
cated, licensed and ordained in the colony. It was during 
the ministrations of young Wack at the Indian Creek 
church where he first met the young lady who subsequently 
became his wife. Her name was Barbara Leidy, daugh- 
ter of Jacob Leidy, Jr., of Franconia, and an officer of 
the church. Her grandfather, Jacob Leidy, was one of 



1 In Colonel Reed's family Bible, which lately came into my possession, 
I find recorded on a small bit of paper the following: "Concerning 
both texts which were treated (selected) at the corner stone laying of the 
new church (Indian Creek Reformed in 1776). (Rev.) Schaeffer's text 
was 1st Peter, II : 6. (Rev. Casper) Wack's text was Zachariah, III : 9 ; 
his introductory (text was) Isaiah, XXVIII: 16." The words in the 
parentheses were added by the writer. 

2 "Minutes of Coetus," p. 327. 



164 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

the Fathers and first trustees of the Indian Creek Re- 
formed church. Rev. Casper Wack and Barbara Leidy 
were married on April 18th, 1776, and for quite a while 
resided in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, within con- 
venient distance of this congregation. 

Rev. Casper Wack was a confirmed patriot. During 
the American Revolution his persistency for the American 
cause, on more than one occasion, led him into trouble with 
neighboring Tories and the British. His friendly as- 
sociation with his people, persuasive eloquence, logic and 
kind manners, did much to keep his people in line and 
sustain the laudable cause. The rank and file of the 
American troops, that this neighborhood contributed to 
the army were largely members of the congregations of 
Pastor Wack's charge. 

The fourth pastor of this congregation was Rev. John 
Theobald Faber. He was born in the town of Zotzen- 
heim, Palatinate, Germany, on the thirteenth day of Feb- 
ruary, A. D., 1739. He was examined and ordained in 
Heidleberg, April 20th, 1763. He arrived in Philadel- 
phia, October 24th, 1776, and began his pastorate at the 
New Goshenhoppen charge. He resided near Sumney- 
town, Montgomery County, having found a home at 
Colonel Daniel Hiester's house, a member of his congre- 
gation. On the 7th of August, 1770, he married Miss 
Barbara Rose, of Reading, Pa. After three repeated 
calls from the Reformed church at Lancaster, he at last 
accepted and preached his farewell sermon at New 
Goshenhoppen, on October 6th, 1779. He did not re- 
main satisfied there. He longed to get back to his old 
charge. After three years' service at Lancaster, in July, 
1782, he accepted a call to the Indian Creek charge, and 
came here with a grateful heart, as it brought him back 







.... lil'tiiMtTi mM mr) # jh»- * 





i'oC't-'.Tlnu-t' mrt A.-. 





BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES 

THE HAND WORK OF THE EARLY PASTORS OF INDIAN CREEK REFORMED CHURCH. 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 165 

within fifteen miles of his old home. In 1786 a vacancy 
occurred at New Goshenhoppen, a call was extended to 
him to return to his old charge and he readily accepted, 
which again left a vacancy at Indian Creek. Rev. Theo- 
bald Faber's second pastorate at New Goshenhoppen was 
of short duration, as on the second day of November, 
1788, while delivering a sermon in the pulpit he was sud- 
denly stricken with death. He was buried within the 
walls of the church beneath the pulpit. 

Then followed Rev. John Michael Kern as the fifth 
pastor at Indian Creek charge. He commenced his labors 
here on October 7th, 1787, which were of short duration. 
Before the Revolution Rev. Kern was pastor of the Ger- 
man Reformed church of New York. He did not be- 
lieve the colonies were ripe for self-government, and the 
declaration of these principles made him unpopular, and 
he was compelled to leave; he went to Halifax, and re- 
turned after the Revolution. He then came to Penn- 
sylvania, and subsequently became pastor at Indian Creek. 
He died the following year, 1788. His remains repose 
peacefully in the graveyard of this congregation. 

Rev. John William Ingold was the sixth regular pastor. 
He entered upon his duties of the pastorate at Indian 
Creek on September 18th, 1788. Before he was called to 
this charge, his pastoral labors in Pennsylvania were 
divided, shared in a number of fields, and he remained 
no great length of time at any one particular place. Rev. 
Ingold was born at Simmern in the Palatinate. He was a 
regularly ordained minister, and sent by the Holland 
deputies to the Province of Pennsylvania. On his arrival 
in this country he took charge of the Reformed church at 
Whitpaine, from here he went to Saucon, and then to 
Easton; later he went to Goshenhoppen which refused to 



1 66 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

accept him; he again returned to Easton, thence to Read- 
ing; and from this last place to Indian Creek. After an 
eventful year at this place, in which he lost his wife — 
whose remains repose in this churchyard — he resigned, 
and sought a new field for work in North Carolina. 

A break in the continuity of pastors now followed. 
During an interval of several years the Indian Creek Re- 
formed church apparently was without a regular minister. 
Among those who officiated here temporarily as pastors 
during this time were Revs. Ludwig Chitara and Philip 
Reinhold Pauli. 

Of Rev. Ludwig Chitara, thus writes Rev. George 
Wack in a letter dated Center Square, Montgomery 
County, Penna., July 6th, 1854: " Rev. Chitara, at first 
a Roman monk, who left Europe and the Roman Catholic 
Church about 1785, turned Protestant, applied to Rev. 
Weyberg, in Philadelphia, and was recommended by him 
to Coetus. He was stationed in New Jersey, Sussex 
County, at Knawltown and Hardwick churches, 1787; 
remained about four or five years there. * * * He 
preached English and German; removed to the charge in 
Bucks County, Tohicken, Springfield and Indian Creek, 
and was very much beloved by the membership of said 
charge." 1 

Rev. Chitara was originally sent to America by the 
deputies to be a school-master, and not a minister. He 
immediately applied himself, however, and studied for the 
ministry, and in due time he qualified himself, and was or- 
dained in 1789. As early as 1786, while pursuing his 
studies, he was allowed to preach by Coetus. 2 . He died 

in 1793- 

1 " Harbaugk's "Fathers of the Reformed Church," Vol. II, p. 405. 

2 " Minutes and Letters of the Coetus of the Reformed Church of Penn- 
sylvania," p. 407. 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 167 

Rev. Philip Reinhold Pauli was born in the city of 
Magdeburg, Prussia, on the twenty-second of June, 1742. 
His father, Ernst L. Pauli, was superintendent, con- 
sistorial counsellor, and court preacher in the principality 
of Bernburg. This son commenced his studies in a public 
school of his native city, Magdeburg, and afterwards con- 
tinued in the gymnasium in Berlin, and finally completed 
his course of literary study in the universities of Halle and 
Leipzig. 

Mr. Pauli arrived in this country in 1783, and engaged 
as a teacher in the Latin language in the Philadelphia 
Academy. While thus employed he turned his attention 
privately to the study of theology with a view of entering 
the ministry. He was ordained in the year of 1789; be- 
came pastor of the churches Worcester and Whitpaine (of 
Montgomery County, Penna.), and others of the vicinity. 1 
Among " the other " congregations of the neighborhood 
where he officiated as pastor was Indian Creek. We 
presume, here, only at such time as he could spare from 
his regular and extensive field of labor. At this charge, 
he officiated for several years; in 1793 he transferred his 
labors to Reading, Pa., with the approval of Coetus. He 
in his day was regarded as an eloquent preacher, simple in 
his ways, of pleasing manners and address, and was much 
liked by his congregations. 

On August 1 st, 1790, Rev. Nicholas Pomp assumed the 
duty as regular pastor. He was a foreigner by birth, 
born on January 20th, 1774. He came to the Colony of 
Pennsylvania in 1765, and immediately accepted part of 
Rev. Leidich's charge at Falckner Swamp. He after- 
wards for several years supplied Goshenhoppen, and from 
there he came to Indian Creek. At this charge he re- 

1 Harbaugh's "Fathers of the Reformed Church," Vol. Ill, p. 22. 



1 68 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

mained, with great satisfaction, for a period of nine years, 
when, from growing infirmities, he was compelled to relin- 
quish the work. Then he removed to Easton, Pa., where 
'he died with his son, Rev. Thomas Pomp, on September 
.ist, 1819. 

" On the 14th of September, 1799, one month after the 
Rev. Nicholas Pomp had retired from the pastorate, the 
Rev. Jacob Senn took charge of the spiritual interests of 
this people. He is spoken of as a most excellent man and 
an earnest preacher. Previous to taking charge of the 
congregation he had preached for four years to three con- 
gregations in Sussex County, New Jersey. He was born 
June 1st, 1774, and after laboring in the ministry a little 
more than twenty-two years at Indian Creek, died on 
January 28th, 18 18, in the forty-fourth year of his age. 
His remains are buried in the cemetery attached to this 
church. He served this congregation as pastor for more 
than eighteen years." 1 

Rev. John Andrew Strassburger immediately followed 
as successor. He commenced here, as a licentiate, on the 
twenty-sixth of April, 18 18, and was regularly ordained 
at the Synod held in Lancaster, Pa., September 23d, 18 19. 
He was born on October 3d, 1796, and was brought up in 
a Moravian family in Saucon Valley, Lehigh County, 
Pa. He was a cultured man, pleasing in his manner and 
much beloved by his people. The great work he accom- 
plished in his ministerial office bespeaks his popularity. 
He labored here from Easter, 18 18, to July, 1854 — a 
period of over thirty-six years. During this time he 
baptized about 3,000 children; received 1,595 catechu- 
mens by the rite of confirmation as members of the 
Church; married 1,235 couples, and buried 1,044 persons. 

'In "Brief History of the Indian Creek Church," by Rev. Jacob Kehni 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 169 

From growing physical disability he was compelled 
eventually to resign his charge, which took place on July 
15th, 1854, just one hundred years from the time of the 
enlargement of the first church. He removed then to his 
farm in Bridgetown, Bucks County, Pa.; here he died on 
May 2nd, i860, and his remains, at his own request, were 
buried in the cemetery attached to the Indian Creek Re- 
formed church. 

During Pastor Strassburger's ministrations here at In- 
dian Creek, the church building erected by Rev. Casper 
YVack in 1775, began to show signs of serious decay which 
needed attention. A few years after his installation a 
new and more commodious building was erected by the 
congregation under his direction. This was the third new 
building in succession erected by this congregation. It 
was built of stone, was 55 feet long, 42 feet wide, and with 
galleries on its three sides. The corner-stone of the new 
building was laid on Whit-Monday, May 15th, 1826, 
with solemn and appropriate service. On this occasion 
Rev. Thomas Pomp, son of Rev. Nicholas Pomp, former 
pastor at Indian Creek, of Easton, Pa., preached in the 
morning, and Rev. Henry Miller of the Evangelical 
Lutheran church, in the afternoon. Rev. John Andrew 
Strassburger led the exercises at the corner-stone laying, 
assisted by the former pastor, Rev. Casper Wack, who 
was now well advanced in years. At the time of the 
building of this church the consistory was composed of 
the following: Elders Benjamin Reiff, Jacob Leidy, Sr., 
and Jacob Sholl; Deacons John Fluck and Henry Ger- 
hart; Building Committee, Philip Hartzell, Peter Rauden- 
bush and Henry D. Hartzell. 

Rev. Joshua H. Derr came next as pastor. He as- 
sumed duties on July 15th, 1854 — the day the resignation 



I yo Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

of his predecessor, Rev. John Andrew Strassburger, took 
effect. He came from Lancaster, Pa., and remained here 
but three years, resigning in 1857. He is spoken of as a 
good preacher, a man of modern and progressive ideas 
and advanced principles. Division of feeling during his 
pastorate manifested itself in the congregation. This 
friction led to his ultimate discontent and resignation. 
He then sought other fields that were more congenial to 
his taste, and in keeping with his modern practices. 

Rev. Peter S. Fisher was now called to the pastorate. 
He was born near Reading, Pa., October nth, 1804, and 
came to this field from Centre County, Pa., in which 
region he had labored successfully as a pastor for a num- 
ber of years. He entered upon his duties at Indian Creek 
in October, 1857. He was very successful in his labors 
here, and under his kindly influences and direction the 
good work of the church materially prospered. He was 
a man of congenial manners; he always had a friendly 
smile and generous greeting for his friends. He was 
humble and unassuming in his ways, a loving friend, as 
well as an earnest and faithful servant of the Lord. 

During his pastorate at Indian Creek three new con- 
gregations were organized within the bounds of his 
charge, namely Leidy's, Sellersville and Bridgeton. The 
number of congregations of this charge was thus increased 
to six, with a membership of over fifteen hundred. The 
field became too large for one in the evening shades of 
life, and in 1870, Classis divided the congregations 
into new charges. Trumbauersville congregation was 
detached. Indian Creek and Tohickon churches were 
allowed to remain as the old charge. A new charge 
known as Sellersville charge, having been created out of 
the recently organized congregations — Leidy's, Sellers- 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 171 

ville and Bridgeton, and at Pastor Fisher's own request, 
he was allowed to assume the pastorate of the charge 
created out of the newly organized congregations. This 
action of Rev. Peter S. Fisher, after a service of over 
fifteen years, severed his connection as pastor of the In- 
dian Creek congregation. 

In the spring of 1871, Rev. Jacob Kehm was installed 
as pastor of the old charge consisting of Indian Creek and 
Tohickon congregations. He made the twelfth regular 
minister in succession to supply Indian Creek. He re- 
ceived the call here in the spring of 1871, and came from 
Dauphin County, Pa., where he had been pastor of a pros- 
perous charge. In 1899 Classis formed the churches of 
the Indian Creek charge into a new division, making In- 
dian Creek, Leidy's and Souderton churches into one, 
thereby disarranging the pastoral relation, and necessitat- 
ing a change. Rev. Kehm being retained by the To- 
hickon charge, a vacancy was created at Indian Creek. 

Rev. Jacob Kehm's labors at Indian Creek Reformed 
church covered a period of over twenty-eight years. He 
is a man of great ability, and did excellent work here as 
pastor. He was beloved by his people, his kind ways and 
congenial manners won their friendship, and the congre- 
gation thereby prospered. He still lives, resides in Sel- 
lersville, Pa., and remains pastor at Tohickon Reformed 
church. 

In 1875, during Rev. Jacob Kehm's pastorate at Indian 
Creek, the congregational growth was of such proportion 
that the subject of a new church edifice again confronted 
this people. During that year the congregation agreed to 
erect a new edifice to surplant the old one, which was 
rapidly passing into decay. Under Pastor Kehm's direc- 
tion the present magnificent brick building, with its tall, 



172 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

all-inspiring steeple was built. This building has a stately 
appearance; located as it is in the midst of a picturesque 
and richly improved rural district, presents a pretty view, 
and stands a sentinel of admiration and achievement by 
this people. The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid 
by Pastor Kehm on the twenty-ninth of January, 1879. 

The formation of the Indian Creek Reformed church 
into a new charge in 1899, thereby creating a vacancy in 
the pulpit, the Rev. B. F. Luckenbill was chosen Rev. 
Jacob Kehm's successor. Rev. Luckenbill makes the 
thirteenth minister to the present day, who regularly 
officiated at this church, covering an almost unbroken 
period of over one and a half centuries. Rev. Luckenbill 
is doing good work at this field. The congregation is 
large, its relations very harmonious, is growing in mem- 
bership, its status excellent, and thrifty in its resources. 
Rev. B. F. Luckenbill is a man of talent, possesses rare 
ability, is very pleasing in his manner and address, and a 
truly spiritual and godly man. 

Considering the age of the Indian Creek church and 
the innumerable changes that usually occur in a period of 
one hundred and fifty years, there has been but few 
pastors, comparatively speaking, serving this congrega- 
tion. During this series of years there were four suc- 
cessive church edifices erected to serve the growing wants 
of these people. 

In this long period, and in a new country, there were 
great changes in affairs of church and state, and a ma- 
terial growth and development of the community. 
Diversity of customs and habits wrought transforma- 
tions; the church, as the individual, was changing to con- 
form to the new conditions that constantly presented 
themselves; the Indian Creek Reformed church has been 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 173 

no exception to the rule, and consequently shared the 
same experience, suffered the same transformation, and 
yet grew, developed and prospered. 

Dr. Benjamin Rush, the author of the " Manners of 
the German Inhabitants of Pennsylvania," published in 
1789, speaking of these early German churches, writes 
thus: "The Lutherans compose a great portion of the 
German citizens of the State. The German Presby- 
terians (Reformed) are the next in number. Their 
churches are likewise large, and furnished in many places 
with organs. The clergy belonging to these churches 
have moderate salaries; but they are punctually and justly 
paid. In the country they have glebes which are stocked, 
and occasionally worked by their congregation. By this 
means the discipline and general interests of their 
churches are preserved. The Lutherans and the Ger- 
man Reformed live in great harmony with each other, 
inasmuch as they preach in each other's churches, and in 
some instances unite in building a church, in which they 
both worship at different times. 1 

" All of the different sects among them are particularly 
attentive to the religious education of their children, and 
the establishment and support of the Christian religion. 
For this purpose they settle as much as possible together, 
and make the erection of a school-house and a place of 
worship the first object of their care. They commit the 
education and instruction of their children, in a peculiar 
manner, to the minister and officers of their churches. 
* * * Such has been the influence of a pious education 
among the Germans, in Pennsylvania, that in the course 
of nineteen years only one of them has ever been brought 
to a place of public shame or punishment." 2 

1 Pages 45 and 46. 

2 Pages 34 and 35. 



174 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

Dr. Benjamin Rush was not a biased man in his 
deductions. He wrote of these good people and of 
their characteristics as a critical observer. He recog- 
nized their good qualities and drew his deductions accord- 
ingly. At this later date [1789] the church and its work 
was becoming better organized, ordained pastors were 
more plentiful to supply them, and their ecclesiastical 
relations in general were improving and were far more 
satisfactory. 

In the founding of the early churches in the country, 
scattered as they were throughout the wilderness, their 
ministerial supply deficient and unsatisfactory in the be- 
ginning, dissatisfaction and discontent frequently prevailed 
among the masses of settlers. Rev. Prof. James I. Good, 
in his "History of the Reformed Church, 1725-1792," 
thus portrays these conditions: 

" The German emigration of the last century may be 
set down as a very religious emigration — so religious 
that the tendency among them was rather to go off into 
religious excesses, as inspiration and fanaticism, especially 
as there were almost no ministers to guide them. Being 
thus religious, they brought with them their Bibles, their 
catechisms, their hymn-books, etc., many of which have 
come down to their descendants. In the wilderness they 
set up their tabernacles of worship. Where they were 
able to do so they would employ a parochial school- 
master to teach their children. He would also hold 
religious services by prayer, reading of sermon and sing- 
ing. Or if the community had no school-master, they 
would sometimes choose one of their number, whose in- 
tegrity of life fitted him to be a religious leader, and he 
would hold worship for them. What they most missed 
were their sacramental privileges. Their children would 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 175 

remain unbaptized, and they would miss the communion 
of the Lord's Supper." 1 

Thus cut off from the sacred rites and privileges of the 
Church, and not possessing the means of supporting a 
regular minister nor the advantages of journeying to a 
distant town, where a congregation would be found that 
could support a pastor, these good people would avail 
themselves of the first opportunity when a regular pastor 
chanced nearby to hear him and to have him officiate to 
the needful wants of the family. The Indian Creek 
church was of this character and was irregularly served in 
its beginning. The congregation appealed from time to 
time to be served regularly; and when Coetus was organ- 
ized, this was one of the earlier congregations to make 
their wants known, and for a time even that body 
was unable to grant the request. This was the desperate 
strait of the earlier churches. Goettlieb Mittelberger in 
his " Journey to Pennsylvania in the year of 1750," thus 
graphically describes the state of affairs: 

" Old people of eighty years and more told me much 
of their former sad condition; that for a long time there 
had been a lack of God-fearing preachers, and the sacra- 
ments, baptism and holy communion ; and when a preacher 
occasionally came to a place, many a one was obliged to 
make a journey of ten, twenty and even thirty hours to 
hear him." 2 

In the beginning the Mother Church of the old country 
was appealed to for relief by these distressed settlers — to 

1 Page 103. 

2 Page no. Goettlieb Mittleberger was a Palatine by birth, and was 
engaged as organist and schoolmaster by St. Augistine's (Lutheran) 
Church, Providence (Trappe), Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He 
accompanied the organ on its trip to America in 1750. This was one of 
the first organs imported into the Colony. 



176 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

send them ordained ministers, and give them church 
organization. Special appeals at this early date were 
made to the Reformed Church of the Palatinate. From 
insurmountable barriers and difficulties of their own, at 
this time, they could afford no relief. The Church of 
Holland then took hold of the matter, and by various 
overtures, extended the churches of the Colony its 
benificent hand. Its good work in the beginning was 
slow, but gradually developed with time and resources. 
It was not until 1746 that the Reformed churches of the 
colony were rightly gotten under their control, and were 
then organized into a Coetus or Synod. The accom- 
plishment of this work was largely secured through the 
exertions of a single man, the special envoy of the Mother 
Church, Rev. Michael Schlatter. 

It is from the observations of Rev. Michael Schlatter 
made during his journeys of organization throughout the 
country, to be transmitted in his reports to Classis at 
Amsterdam, that we glean the earliest authentic history 
bearing on the congregation of the Reformed church at 
Indian Creek. At this early date he writes : 

" On the twentieth of October, 1746, I continued my 
journey thirteen miles farther (from Goshenhoppen) to 
Indian Field or Indian Creek. Here I preached on 
Hebrew 13: 20-21, with much satisfaction, in a new 
wooden church. The congregation received the word of 
God with much warm desire, and sighed earnestly for 
the healthful bread of life and for a regular ecclesiastical 
organization. A linen weaver by the name of Straub (a 
school-master) had been supplying the congregation. It 
would distress me exceedingly if these poor shepherdless 
sheep would have to remain destitute of a minister, since 
forty-six heads of families cheerfully engaged according 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 177 

to their several ability, to contribute annually fifteen 
pounds, or 100 Holland guilders in money and produce. 
If this church were united with Whitpain (Boehm's), 
and Skippack, these three congregations would be able to 
contribute thirty-three pounds, or 233 Holland guilders, 
for the support of a minister. Thus this would con- 
stitute the sixth charge." 1 

The arrangement of the scattered congregations into 
charges seemed to have been the difficult task of Rev. 
Schlatter's mission. Widely separated as the congrega- 
tions were, their impoverished condition and the difficulty 
of securing regular pastors made a satisfactory arrange- 
ment to all difficult and embarrassing. One year later 
Rev. Schlatter again writes, assigning Indian Creek to a 
new association with other churches, making this charge 
now to consist of four congregations : 

" On the second of February, 1747, I preached in the 
house of Rev. Boehm to a small congregation called Whit- 
pain. They have built a small stone church, and secured 
the Rev. Boehm as their pastor, to whom they are able 
to pay at present only ten pounds or sixty-six Dutch guild- 
ers as salary. Should this congregation be united with 
Skippack, Indian Field, and Tohickon, the four congrega- 
tions, according to my judgment, would be able to collect 
forty pounds, or two hundred and thirty-six Dutch 
guilders." 2 

To Michael Schlatter belongs the credit pertaining to 
the early organization of the Reformed Church in Penn- 
sylvania. He was a foreigner — born in the city of St. 
Gall, Canton of the same name, Switzerland, on July 

1 " Life of Schlatter," p. 140. Also Good's "History of the Reformed 
Church," pp. 322 and 323. 

2 "Life of Schlatter," pp. 149 and 150. 

13 



178 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

14th, 17 16. He was educated in Switzerland, and was 
familiar with the Dutch and German languages. He 
studied for the ministry, was duly licensed, and finally 
-ordained. He was of a roving disposition. This na- 
ture led him to visit Holland. While in that country 
lie learned of a vacancy in the church, in Lancaster, Penn- 
sylvania. This was in 1746. The German Reformed 
'Church in Pennsylvania, for several years past, had been 
-to a certain extent under the guardianship or influence of 
the Church of Holland. As the Germans of Pennsyl- 
vania were of a different tongue, there was constant 
trouble in bringing them in full accord with the (Hol- 
andish) ecclesiastical relations. To accomplish this and 
bring about a better discipline and organization, required 
the presence of an agent or director among the colonists, 
who could fluently speak these languages. 

At this crisis Rev. Schlatter appeared upon the scene. 
He was employed for this work. He was to visit the 
different settlements in the colony; organize churches 
where that had not already been done; ordain elders and 
deacons, and prepare proper church records; ascertain 
what amount each congregation could give toward a 
settled pastor; assemble the scattered congregations into 
convenient charges; visit ministers already in the field; 
induce the organization of a Coetus or Synod; to report 
regularly to the church of Holland; preach for pastors, 
etc. 

Rev. Michael Schlatter proved amply qualified to per- 
form the duties prescribed for him. He arrived in Penn- 
sylvania in 1746, and immediately started in the perform- 
ance of his duty. He was an indefatigable laborer — 
visiting the scattered churches in the outlying settlements, 
assisted many in their organization, preached sermons, 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 179 

and performed all other duties assigned him with remark- 
able expedition and thoroughness. He made his way to 
the different communities altogether on horseback, hither 
and thither, ofttimes traveling as many as sixty miles a 
day — braving storms, fording flooded streams, encounter- 
ing wild beasts — through a rough country — the major 
part of it still in wilderness. 

In accordance with instructions received from Holland 
he succeeded, after much hard labor, in organizing the 
scattered congregations into regular charges. In his re- 
port, in 1752, of this work to Classis at Amsterdam, he 
says: "Indian Creek, Tohickon, Whitpain and Skip- 
pack were formed into one charge and are yet without 
a pastor." 

Through the efforts of Rev. Schlatter the first Coetus 
or Synod of the Reformed Church of the colony was or- 
ganized. This body convened for the first time in old 
Christ's church, Philadephia, on the twenty-ninth of Sep- 
tember, 1747. The delegates at this gathering from the 
Indian Creek congregation were Michael Bergey and 
Frederick Zollinger. This representation of delegates 
from the Indian Creek congregation at the meeting of the 
first Reformed Synod establishes the early organization of 
this congregation ; this fact alone antedates the remodeling 
of the old log church, by its date stone in 1754, by some 
seven years. 

With the founding of this congregation is associated 
the early history and settlement of Franconia Township. 
This township was organized March 1st, 173 1, and was 
taken from Salford Township ; previous to this date this 
section of the county was largely known as the " Dutch 
Township." The names of actual settlers in 1734, 
furnished us through the tax records, show that nearly all 



i8o Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

of the resident land owners were Germans. Although 
much land in Franconia Township, at this date, was 
owned by English, Welsh, and other purchasers — in ad- 
dition to that still held by the Penns — these owners were 
not actual settlers but speculators, and resided elsewhere. 

In 1727, and previous to this date, the French Hugue- 
nots, Hollanders, Swiss and Palatines (Germans) were 
pouring into America, they were coming in such 
large numbers into the Colony of Pennsylvania — 
through the inducements and kindly influences of Wil- 
liam Penn who was to them a kind benefactor — that the 
colonial authorities at Philadelphia became alarmed, en- 
acted a law compelling all males, over the age of sixteen 
years, upon their arrival in the Colony to subscribe their 
names and take oath of allegiance to the province. 

These colonists belonged to different denominations. 
The Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonite, Dunker, Quaker, 
Baptist, Presbyterian, and a few others were the most 
conspicuous. An intermingling of members of the vari- 
ous denominations would be frequently found on the same 
vessel. The immigrants, irrespective of religious con- 
victions, were friendly to one another — aspiring to the 
same purpose — all seeking a home in a new land, free 
from oppression, and to enjoy religious and civil free- 
dom. 

About 1727 and earlier, churches were being organ- 
ized throughout this section of the country, from this 
immigration. Their formation at first, in the inland 
settlements, were primitive and in keeping with surround- 
ings, means and numerical strength. Many of these 
formed the nucleus which in time became organized, and, 
as the settlements became more populous, grew and are 
to-day great in numerical strength, possessing beautiful 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 1 8 1 

buildings, and other valuable property. Thus the Luth- 
eran, Reformed, Mennonite, Dunker, Schwenkfelder, 
Quaker, Presbyterian and other denominations were as- 
sociated as congenial neighbors, kept pace with one 
another in their spiritual work, and mutually profited by 
the direction of their leaders. 

The Indian Creek Reformed church, possibly, is not 
as old, quite, as some of its neighboring congregations; 
but it has wonderfully grown, and well and nobly served 
its purpose. It has at all times kept abreast, in growth 
and general prosperity, with its neighbors; enlarged its 
scope of work with the growing needs, and a number of 
new and later congregations have been its offspring. 

A visit to the old burial ground of this parent church 
is interesting to the genealogist, historian and antiquarian. 
On its moss-covered and crumbling stones, that mark the 
last resting place of the many old deceased ones, are 
found names that were prominently associated with the 
church's early history, and with the neighborhood's initial 
settlement and development. 

Of the names on the stones that can be deciphered still 
are these: Gerhart, Hartzell, Moyer, Scholl, Benner, 
Auchy, Appenzeller, Trumbauer, Cressman, Stener, 
Weill, Furman, Raudenbush, Strassburger, Dotterer, Bil- 
ger, Hangey, Young, Frantz, Shuler, Sechler, Kooker, 
Fluck, Troxell, Drake, King, Fulmer, Kehm, Werlach, 
Sorver, Reiff, Sellers, Leidy, etc. 

Some of the older people whose names are associated 
with the founding of the Indian Creek church are not 
given in the list of names of burials just furnished. Many 
of these fathers and their families are buried here, the 
stones that mark their graves either have no inscription on 
them or have crumbled beyond solution. Some of the 



1 82 Indian Creek Reformed Church. 

founders, too, have been interred in other cemeteries that 
were more convenient to their homes. Leidy's burial 
ground is one of this character. Here we find these 
names, and nearly all of them were members of and wor- 
shipped at Indian Creek: Leidy, Rosenberger, Hengen, 
Oberholtzer, Althouse, Reed, Wack, Zane, Redlion, Cope, 
Rudy, Moyer, Nyce, Shellenberger and others. Nearly 
all of these names are found on the old record at Indian 
Creek. The names Gerhart, Shellengberger, Leidy, Sel- 
lers and Althouse are associated with the building com- 
mittee of the old log church, in 1754. 

Such is the story of the Indian Creek Reformed con- 
gregation but fragmentarily told. Its origin was among 
the early churches of this section of the country. This 
house of worship was founded by a small band of pioneers 
for a laudable purpose — the comforting privilege of wor- 
shipping within its walls in peace and harmony, in accord- 
ance with their accepted belief and practices. It was 
located centrally among them in (at that time) a sparsely 
settled country — largely a wilderness and nearby a small 
stream of water known as Indian Creek. At this time, 
we are told, this was the haunt of the Indian and wild 
beast. 

With time the congregation grew in numerical strength 
and their church property improved with the thrift of its 
people. Church building succeeded church building, 
pastor succeeded pastor, generation succeeded generation, 
and with each succession the congregation grew and the 
spiritual welfare of its people advanced. In this and 
nearby churchyards lie buried the remains of countless 
numbers of its deceased members; many of whom have 
contributed their share in work and means toward its 
building and elaboration. They did their duty as Chris- 



Indian Creek Reformed Church. 



183 



tians, and when their work was finished on earth others 
have succeeded them, and thus the endless chain, under 
good direction and guidance, has known no end. This 
good work, which has been so nobly started by our fore- 
fathers, and received by us as an heritage for our edifica- 
tion and advancement, has well fulfilled its intended pur- 
pose; and may it thus continue, and prosper for all time 
to come. 




IbatfieR) Gownsbip 



EDWARD MATHEWS 
Lansdale, Pa. 



ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT AND ITS AFFAIRS 




HATFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

For a historical sketch to be read upon this occasion, 
and in this locality, it was deemed not inappropriate that 
the township of Hatfield should be the theme. Its con- 
fines lie near where to-day is gathered the Montgomery 
County Historical Society in its annual meeting. This 
sketch must be brief, and not considered to be inclusive of 
all that might be said. Hatfield township, as regards its 
surface, is remarkable as being the most level in Mont- 
gomery County. It is traversed by several streams but 
they nowhere run through any great depressions. In 
early times several extensive portions were aptly denomi- 
nated the " Plains " by people accustomed to the more 
uneven surface of their own localities. This plane sur- 
face may be said to constitute the character of the country, 
except in the immediate vicinity of the streams. Most 
of its surface, however, is not a dead level, but gently 
rolling. On the northeast side is quite a deep depression 
covering a few acres near the Franconia border and within 
a mile of Leidy's church. The eastern corner is at the 
lowest elevation above sea level. From thence the sur- 
face gradually rises toward the southwest, then west and 
northwest. This rise is from 300 feet at Colmar to 350 
feet at Lansdale. The geological structure is the same 

187 



1 88 Hatfield Township. 

as that of four fifths of Montgomery County. Neither 
lime nor sand is found, and they are transported from 
other places when needed. 

Roads. — Concerning the history of Hatfield, rather less 
has been written than of other townships. It is trav- 
ersed by several old roads. The Bethlehem road 
traverses the eastern corner of the township from Colmar 
through Trewigtown to Line Lexington. It was opened 
for travel in 1735, and macadamized in 1806. The 
county line road, separating Hatfield from New Britain 
and Hilltown, was opened in this portion in 1752. The 
Cowpath is an old and notable highway. It runs through 
the whole length of the township, dividing it into two 
equal portions. Its quaint name arose from the fact that 
the cattle of the early Welsh settlers were wont to travel 
on its lines through the forest to pasture. The Germans 
either translated the English name into their own language 
or called it the Moyer road, from the name of an early 
settler. It is also termed the Hatfield road. The Forty- 
foot road belongs to Towamencin as well as Hatfield. It 
was opened soon after 1760, joining the Cowpath at South 
Hatfield. 

Schools. — Long before the inauguration of the public 
school system, there were several notable school houses 
in Hatfield, now of historical importance. Between 1760 
and 1769 the Mennonites established a school in the south- 
ern part of the township. It stood within the confines of 
their present cemetery, and near their present place of 
worship. Within a mile of where we are now gathered, 
a school house was built in 1794, near the Franconia 
border, and near the northern corner of the township. 
This house existed until 1849. Another house was built 
in 1805 in the central part of the township. The school 



Hatfield Township. 189 

of greatest historical importance was the result of a legacy 
left by the will of John Jenkins, made in 1762. The 
house then erected was in the eastern part of the town- 
ship, within a mile of Colmar. In it were taught many 
generations of pupils, and the structure remained in exist- 
ence as late as 1880. 

Churches. — As to early organizations, the Welsh set- 
tlers were mostly Baptists, with a few Quakers. The 
Germans were predominately Mennonites and Dunkards, 
with a few Reformed and Lutherans. In early times the 
township was remarkably destitute of places of worship. 
This was not because the people were irreligious, but be- 
cause it suited them best to attend churches in surrounding 
townships. The Baptists went to Montgomery and Hill- 
town; the Quakers to Gwynedd. The Reformed and 
Lutheran to Towemencin, Hilltown and Franconia. In 
fact there is but one historic church — that of the Plaine 
Meetinghouse. This was organized just previous to the 
Revolution in 1774 with David Ruth and David 
Oberholtzer as preachers and John Wireman deacon. 
The lot whereon the church stood had been sold to 
the Mennonites by Henry Fry, some time between 
1760 and 1769. There have been four houses of wor- 
ship in succession. The present and large house was 
built in 1867. A partial list of family names in the 
graveyard includes those of Boorse, Benner, Cassel, Con- 
ver, Clemmer, Davis, Gross, Godshalk, Heder, Heckler, 
Kindig, Krupp, Kulp, Moyer, Rittenhouse, Ruth, Reed, 
Stauffer, Wismer, Wagner, Wireman and Young. 

The first Dunkard or Brethren Church was erected near 
the Cowpath, a mile from Orvilla in 1851. Jacob 
Riener, of saintly memory, was the first preacher. The 



190 Hatfield Township. 

first Evangelical church was built near Orvilla station, in 

1854. 

Taverns. — In the olden time of much wagon and horse- 
back travel, public houses in plenty existed for the ac- 
commodation of wayfarers. There was never any lack 
of food or drink. Among the old taverns were the 
Farmer's and Drover's Hotel, at Trewigtown. This was 
opened soon after 1750 by Henry Loch, a German black- 
smith. He was sold out by the sheriff in 1770 and 
George Sheive was the owner during the days of the 
Revolution and down till 1795. It was the Snare tavern 
for 37 years, till Jacob Trewig bought it in 1832 and 
gave name to the village. What was known as the 
Shellenberger tavern also existed in Trewigtown for a 
considerable period after 1795. What was known as 
the Lower tavern in Hatfield Borough was first opened by 
John Bucheimer, in 1825. One of its notable landlords 
was Philip Zieber, from 1833 till 1850. What was 
known as the Snare tavern, on the Cowpath, was opened 
in 1825 by Peter Connor. It was closed about 1863. 
The Hocker tavern on the county line, was opened by 
Martin Hocker, who came from Whitemarsh, in 18 14. 
He became wealthy and was a Justice of the Peace. His 
death occurred in 1852. From him the village was 
named and so we have Hockertown to-day. 

Settlers. — The formation of Hatfield Township was 
between the years of 1741 and 1745. Before that time 
it was vaguely termed " the parts adjacent to Mont- 
gomery and Franconia." In one deed the writer has 
seen, it was called Harley township," from Thomas 
Harley, an extensive land owner of its eastern portion 
from 1682 to 1702. It was named from a village in 
Hartfordshire, England. The early settlers of the town- 



Hatfield Township. 191 

ship may be classed in two divisions — Welsh and Ger- 
mans. There were, however, a few English and prob- 
ably some of Huguenot, French and Hollander lineage. 
The Welsh occupied the southeast side of the township. 
Except at the very first, they were always a minority of the 
people. In a tax list made in 1792, of the 106 names, all 
but 14 betray German origin. Of the present inhabi- 
tants, those not of German ancestry are quite as numerous 
to-day as a century ago. The names of these Welsh 
and English families, who were early settlers include 
those of Jenkins, Hoxworth, Lewis, Thomas, Clayton, 
Wright, Williams, Davis, Wells, Evans and Morgan. 
Of names mostly German, we find those of Rosenberger, 
Fuhrman, Hendricks, Johnson, Godshalk, Oberholtzer, 
Hoffman, Ruth, Lukens, Shipe, Shooter, Wireman, Funk, 
Lapp, Musselman, Huntsberger, Frey, Convoer, Ulrich, 
Race, Shellengberger, Kunkle and Reed. 

The most notable figures of Hatfield in the Revolu- 
tionary struggle were Lieutenant Colonel Reed and his 
son Captain Philip Reed. The latter was commander of 
the township military company. Concerning these and 
their careers they will be discoursed more at length in 
another paper to-day. In the militia company were en- 
rolled 55 members. The Wright family, which in 
colonial times held a plantation in the southern part of the 
township, a mile from Lansdale, had their full share in 
the history of their locality during this troublesome period 
of the Revolution. The sons of John Wright, Jonathan 
and John, gave their adhesion to the British cause. The 
farm of John Wright, Jr., was confiscated in consequence 
and sold in 178 1 to Owen Faries, of Germantown. This 
was a place of 50 acres. The farm of Jonathan Wright, 
comprising 101 acres, was also confiscated. Since that 



192 Hatfield Township. 

time the family name has disappeared from the township. 
Thomas Stalford married a daughter of the first John 
Wright and held part of his plantation. The Stalford 
ownership ended about 1820. 

The Fries Rebellion of 1799 has only a very indirect 
connection with the annals of Hatfield. Its people were 
not connected with it, and cared no more about it than 
did those of other townships in this region. John Fries, 
its leader, was indeed born in Hatfield, near Lansdale, 
but never lived here after childhood. His father was not 
a land holder. None of the historians who have written 
so voluminously about the insurrection he led against the 
National Government, give us even the name of his 
father, his employment, or the place where he lived when 
his son, John Fries, was born in 1750. 




_>-i 






I 



INDEX. 



By Rev. Michaei, Reed Minnich, A.M. 



Alder fer, B. F., Esq., 6 
Allebacb, Christian, 91 
Alsentz, J. G., 160 
Althouse, John, 99, ior, 159 
Althouse (Malthouse), Win., 91, 

154 
American Daily Advertiser, 11 
Antes, Wm., 31, 34, 36, 40 
Armstrong, Maj. Gen. John, 33, 38, 

41 
Command of, 35 
Army, Amer., Defense of, 34 

Defeat and Retreat of, 34 
Arndt, Abraham, 17, 18, 153, 155 
Catharine, 17, 18 
Jacob, 90, 154, 155 
Asheton, Wm., Children of, 91 

Barren Hill Cburch, 42 
Battalions, To parade, 31 
Battalion, First, of Phila., Co., Of- 
ficers of, 31 

Election of field officers, 31 

Roster of, 32 
Battalion, Cols. Heister and Reed's, 

33 
Bean, Col. Theodore, 12, 177 
Bedford, Pa., 107, 108 
Bergey, F. K., 143 
Bergey, Michael, 90, 151, 152, 153, 

179 
Berkemeyer, Rev. F., 119 
Booz, 142 

14 IQ 3 



Braden (Rile), Mrs. Findley, vii 

Brandywine creek, 33 

Bridgeton, 118 

British Light Horse, 44 

Buck's Co. Militia, 55 

Bull's Mill, 36 

Buzzard, Adam, 96 

Cadwalader, Brig. Gen. John, 33 

Camp Hill, 38 

Cassell, 142 

Chesapeake bay, 33 

Chestnut Hill, 42 

Chitara, Rev. Ludwig, 166 

Clemens, John, 142 

Clemens' Mill, 142 

Clinton's forces, 65 

Coates, Lieut. Wm., 31 

Colonists, Church relations of, 180 

Commissioners of Phila. Co., 36, 39 

Duties of, 37 
Committee of Arrangements, vi 
Confiscation ordinance, 36 
Congress alarmed, 65 
Conover (Kumfnrt), Catharine;. 

Christian, 96 
Continental service, 65 
Convear, Jacob, 24 
Convention troops, 55 
Cope, Abraham, 99, 101, 119 

Benjamin, 117 

Henry, 101 

Dr. Leidy L-, 6 



194 



Index. 



Cope, Yost, 91 
Cornwallis, 43, 65 
Council of safety, 36, 
Cowpath, 115 
Currency, 48 
Curry, Col., 34 

Dana, Francis, 49 
Dorrah, Lydia, 39 
Delp, 142 

Delp's burial ground, 142 
Dengler, Rev. J. G., 118 
Derr, Rev. Joshua H., 169 
Dechant, Rev. J. W., 107 
D'Estaing, account fleet of, 57 
Dewees' Forge, 36 
Dewees, Samuel, 31, 34 
Dickenshied, Eva, 17 

Valentine, 17 
Doyle's Tavern, 54 
Dunker Church, 143 
" Dutch Township," 179 

Easton, Pa., 107, 154, 165, 166, 168 
Eberhard, Elizabeth, 17 

Joseph, 17 
Elk river, 33, 39 
Engle, Jacob, 31 
Ephrata, Pa., 142 

Faber, Rev. John Theobald, 164 
Fairview village, 54 
Falckner swamp, 167 
Fatland, 35 

Fifth battalion, Class roll of, 61 
Fisher, Rev. P. S., 117, 170 

Rev. Sam'l Reed, D.D., 24, 53, 

87 

Wendle, 24 
Fluke, Christian, 96 

Frederick, 90 

John, 90, 169 
Fornance, Joseph, Esq., 5, 7 



Foxhill, N.J., 106 
Frederick, 143 
Freed, 143 
French troops, 57 
Fries Rebellion, 192 
Fuhrman's grave yard, 143 
Funk, 142 

Funk, Christian, 141 
Funk, Heinrich, 141, 142 
Jacob, 141 

Gerhart, Abraham, 159 

Henry, 169 

Peter, 90, 106, 153, 154 

Rev. John Henry, 95, 104, 106, 
107, 108, 109 
German emigration, 174 
German Valley, 106 
Germans of Penn'a., 173 
Germantown, 106 

Battle of, 38 

Rest at, 35 
Gobrecht, John C, 160 

Rev. Christopher, 159, 162 
Godshall, 142 

Good, Rev. Prof. Jas. I., 174 
Gordon's Ford, 35 
Goshenhoppen (New) Reformed 

cong., 16, 20, 158, 164, 165 
Government, Bounties of, 65 
Great Swamp, 158 
Gulph, Camp at, 43 

Hackman, Allen, 68 

Geo. W., vii, 7, 68 

Miss Anna, vii 
Hager, Jonathan, Captivity of, 40 
Hagerstown, 57 
Hange, Geo. Ludwig, 144 
Harbaugh, Rev. Dr., 159 
Harley, John S., 143 

Rudolph, 143 

Sam'l, 143 



Index. 



195 



Harley's burial ground, 143 

Harner, Sarah, 6S 

Harrison, Robt. H., Sec'y, 46 

Hartman, 143 

Henry and Sarah, 68 
Mary, 68 

Hartzell, Philip and Henry D., 169 

Hatfield, 116 

township, Roads of, 18S 
Schools of, 188 
Churches of, 189 
Family names in, 189 
Taverns in, 190 
Settlers of, 190, 191 
Birthplace of John Fries, 
192 

Heckler, 143 

Hengen, Jacob, 90 

Helfenstein, Rev. Sam'l, 107 

"Herrites," 142 

Hiester, Col. Daniel, 36, 55, 164 

Hillpot, Rev. J., 119 

Hilltown, 118 

Historical Soc, How to become a 
member of, xvi 
Resolutions of, 8 

Hoffman, Catharine, 89 

Howe, Army of, on shipboard, 33 

Howe's advance on Phila., 35 

Howell's Map of Penna., 67 

Hunsberger, Frederick, 102 

Illustrations in text, xii 

Indian Field, 159 

Indians, Proposed employment of, 

49 
Ravages of, 20 
Ingold, Rev. John Wm., 165 
Invasion of Penna., 33 
Irviu, Brig. Gen. James, 33 
Itinerary, xvi 

Jarrett, Sam'l F., 5, 7 



Johnson, Sam'l, 143 

Kahn, Rev. Jacob, 171 
Kern, Rev. John Michael, 165 
Kindig, 143 
Kline, 142, 143 
Knox, Andrew, 52 
Kolb, Dillman, 142 
Kooken, Joseph, 17, 18 
Kratz, 142 

Hon. Henry W., vii, 5, 7 
Krout, John, 91 
Krout's Mill, 67 
Kunkle, John, 89 
Kurtz, 143 

Lacy, Col., 44 

Lancaster, Reformed church at, 164 
Assembly removed to, 36, 168, 
170 
Land, Early purchases of, Jacob 

Reed and others, 22, 23 
Landis, 142, 143 
Landsdale, 116 
Leidy, Ann Maria, 17 
Barbara, 163, 164 
Carl Ludwig, 89, 95, 97 
Leidy Cemetery Assoc, 119 
Deed, 99 
Trustees of, 10 r 
Leidy Cemetery (old), 98 
Elizabeth, 107 
Family, 87, 115 
Henry, S., 6 

Jacob, 87, 90, 98, 102, 154, 159, 
163, 169 
Deed of, 91 ; farm of, 24 
Jr. children of, 90 
and Barbara (Nyce), 98 
and Veronica (Schell), 
children of, 95, 107 
Deed of, 100, 101 
Jonas G., 119, 120 



196 



Index. 



Leidy, Josiah W., 117, 119 

Magdalena, 17, 97, 154 

Prof. Joseph, 97 

Rev. George, 115 

Samuel, Sr., 117 

tannery, 92, 98 

Thos., 117, 119 
Leidysburg, 92 

Leydich, Rev. Michael, 158, 167 
Lindsey, Wm., 24 
Loller, Col. Robert, 36, 40 
Lutheran church at Sellersville, 119 
Lutherans, 173 
Lykens Valley, 68 

Markley, 143 

Maj. Jacob, 32 
Marple, Rev. Dr. A. A., 7, 8 
Matson's Ford, 42 
Malthouse (Althouse), Wm., 91 
Martin, Thos., 119 
"Martyr Mirror" (Van Bracht) 

142 
Mathews, Edward, vii, 50 
Maurer (Mowery), Veronica, 95 
Members, Indian Creek Ref. ch., 

contributing, 161 
Mennonite church, 141 
Meredith, Brig. Gen. Sam'l, 33 
Militia Bill, 30 
fines of, 31 
Militia law revised, 58 
Militia, duties and sacrifices of, 64 
Minnich, Rev. M. Reed, ix, 90, 193 
Miller, Rev. Henry, 169 
Mittelberger, Goettlieb, 175 
Monument, Inscriptions on, 3, 4 
Mowery, Ann Maria, 17 
Moyer, 142, 143 
Mumbower, Philip, 96 
Mural tablets, 153 
Musselman, Henry, 141 
Muster rolls, associators, 28 



Myers, John J., 119 

Neshaminy creek, 66 
New Britain twp., 66 
Newtown, Buck's Co., 65 
New York, 58, 65 
Nyce, John, 90, 154 
Philip, 90 

O'Kill, George, 91 

Parker's Ford, 38 
Parr, Sam'l, 91 
Pauli, Ernest L., 167 
Pennypacker's Mills, 38 
Pennsylvania, Journey to, describ- 
ed, 175 
Perkasie, 118 
Perkiomen region, 16 
Philadelphia, 64 
Fhila. Co. Militia, 58, 65 
Pikeland Reformed church, 106 
Plates, List of, vii 
Pomp, Rev. Nicholas, 167, 168 

Thomas, 168, 169 
Potter, Brig. Gen. James, 33, 41, 42, 

43-44 

Price, 143 

Proclamation of Washington per- 
taining to grain, 46 

Proctor, Joseph, vii, 119 

Produce, 48 

Quakertown, 118, 119 

Raudenbush, Elsia Barbara, 96 
Reading, 57, 166, 170 
Reed, Abigail, 68 

Andrew, 17, 20, 68, 70, 90 

Ann Maria, 17 

Capt. Philip, 57, 66, 70 

Catharine, 155 

Maj. and Lieut. Col., 11, 17, 2r, 
38, 41, 66, 69 



Index. 



197 



Reed, Maj. and Lieut. Col., Advoca- 
cy of the Revolution, 51 
Attempted Capture of, 51 
Children of, 24 
Hatfield home of, 63 
Persecution of, 50 
Gen. Washington's visit to, 

54 
Painful ordeal of, 53 
Riding horse of, 53 
Uniform of, 29 
Dr. W. H., v, 5, 7 
Family, Reproduction of Re- 
cords of, 13 
Title page of old Bible, 14 
Fcronica (Bergey), birth of, II 

Will of, 17 
Franklin, P., v, 7 
Gen. Joseph, Letter of, 37, 47, 

48,56 
Jacob, Jr., 63, 70 ; Letter of, 28, 

29 
Jacob, 68, 69 
John, 70 
Julian, 68 
Michael, 17, 68 
Mrs. Gen. Joseph, 49 
Philip, sons and sons-in-law of, 

17 
Character and services of, 

18, 19, 155 
Early land purchases of, 15 
Sarah, 68 
Reed's Mill, 67 

Records of Revolution, fragmen- 
tary, 41 
Redline, Jacob, 24 
Reformed church, Lt. Col. J. Reed's 
interest in, 25 
Church Messenger, 53, 87 
Reiff, 143 

Benjamin, 103, 169 
Reiter, Rev. D. H., vii, 6, 7, 119 



Revolutionary War, Termination 
of, 65 
Service of Reed family in, 

17 
Riess, Rev. Jacob, 153, 157, 158 
Roberts, Col. Wm., 52 

Ell wood, 5 

Mordecai, 52 
Rockaway, N. J., 106 
Rose, Barbara, 164 
Roster first Phila. battalion, 32 

fifth Phila. battalion, 58 

Capt. Philip Reed's company, 

59 
Rotzell, Frederick, 103 
Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 173 

Sachse, Julius F., Litt. D., ix 
Sailor, Philip Henry, 154 
Sandy Hook, 33 
Saratoga, 55 
Schaeffer, Rev., 163 
Scheid, Henry, 89 
Schell, John, Sr., of Schellsburg, 
107 

John, 90, 95 

Michael, 90 

Veronica, 90, 95 
Schellsburg, Pa., 108 

church, 108 
Schissler, 143 
Schlatter, Rev. Michael, 151, 156, 

157, 176, 177, 17S, 179 
Schneck, Rev. Dr. B. S., 117 
Schuylkill river, 34 
Sellers, Hannah, 115 

Samuel, 115 
Sellersville, 115, 118 
Senn, Rev. Jacob, 168 
Shellenberger, Conrad, 96 

George, 101 

John, 153 
Shenck, 143 



193 



Index. 



Sherrard's ferry, 55, 57 
Sholl, George, 159 

Jacob, 95, 169 

Michael, 159 
Skippack creek, 103 
Smith, George, 31 
Solliday, Elizabeth, 66 

Frederick, 67 

family, 67 
Souder, Christian, 151 

Henry, 116 

John, vii 

William, 141 
Souderton, 116, 11S 
Stauffer, 143 

Jacob, 143 
Strassburger, Rev. John Andrew, 

168, 169, 170 
Straub, John Wm., 156, 157 
Stroud, Col. James, 36 
Struggle for liberty, 47 
Swede's Ford, 34 

Taneytown, Md., 57 

Telford, 117 

Thomson, Archibald, 31, 36, 40 

Thompson's inn, 36 

Tohickon congregation, 159 

Tombstones, Records of, 181, 182 

Tory vengeance, 36 

Trappe, 38 

Treaty of peace, 65 

Trenton, N.J., 54, 58, 63 

Trumbowersville, Congregation of, 

118, 159 
Trustees Indian Creek Reformed 

Church, 90, 154 

Valley Forge, 17, 39, 45, 46, 48, 54 
Van Bracht, " Martyr Mirror," 142 

Wack, Dr. Philip, 106 



Wack, Rev. Casper, 90, 104. 105, 

116, 115, 162, 163, 164, 169 
Walter, 143 
War, Drain of, 66 

Wars, England and France ; French 
and Indian, 26 

Provincial, troops in, 27 
Warwick, 38 

furnace, 35 
Washington, Gen., 34, 35, 43, 63 
Weber, Christian, Esq., 100 
Weiss, Rev. George Michael, 20 
Welker, Ann, 17 

Michael, 17 
Wentz's Reformed church, 154 
Westcott, Preston, History of, 30 
Weyburg, Rev. Dr., 104, 162, 166 
Whigs, 48 : 

White Haven tavern, 35 
Whitemarsh, 106 

township, 38, 42 
Whitpaine, Reformed church at, 

165 
Wile, Hon. F. G., vii 

Henry D., 143 
Wilson, Jesse, 24 
Wink, Theobald, 17, 18 

Margretha (Reed), 17, 18 
Worman, Abraham, 95 
Wright family, 52 
Wright's Ferry, 55 
Wright, Tory, Execution of, 51, 52 
Wrightstown, 57 

Yerrick, Rev. W. R., 118 
Yoder, 142 
York, 57 
Young, 143 

Zeiner, Thos., 89 
Zieber's hotel, 116 
Zollinger, Frederick, 179 



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